Schütteln

Schütteln is a German verb meaning to move something rapidly back and forth or up and down, typically to mix, loosen, or reveal contents. The noun Schütteln denotes the act itself or the resulting motion. The term encompasses physical actions as well as figurative uses, such as to shake one's head in disbelief.

In daily life, people shake containers, clothes, or fruit to loosen contents. Expressions like sich die Hände schütteln (to shake hands) and den Kopf schütteln (to shake one's head) are common gestures with social or communicative meaning.

In medicine, Schüttelfrost refers to involuntary body tremors caused by fever and illness. More generally, "schütteln" can indicate tremor due to cold, stress, or excitement, though clinical terminology often uses Zittern or Rigor for precise conditions. In laboratories, Schütteln describes the agitation of liquids or suspensions, for example during mixing of reagents in a shaker.

In engineering and geoscience, the term also appears in contexts of mechanical vibration and ground shaking, such as during earthquakes. In cooking and beverages, Schütteln is used for mixing drinks in a shaker or vigorously shaking a bottle to combine ingredients.