anlehnen

Anlehnen is a German verb meaning to lean against or rest against a surface, and, in a figurative sense, to rely on someone or something for support. The term can be used with the reflexive form sich anlehnen to describe leaning one’s own body, or transitively to describe placing an object against another surface. The related noun das Anlehnen denotes the act or process of leaning.

Etymology and forms: Anlehnen is built from the verb lehnen with the prefix an- indicating a direction toward a surface. The reflexive form arises when the subject is the one performing the action on itself, as in sich anlehnen. The verb can also be used transitively, for example to describe leaning an object against something else.

Usage and examples: Physically, one might say: Sie lehnt sich an die Wand. (She leans against the wall.) In the past: Er lehnte sich an die Wand. Perfect: Sie hat sich an die Wand gelehnt. Transitively: Er lehnte den Stuhl an die Wand. Das Anlehnen an eine Oberfläche is the act itself, as in Das Anlehnen der Schulter an die Tür ist unbequem. Figuratively, one can use the verb to indicate relying on someone: Er lehnt sich auf seine Familie.

See also: Sich anlehnen, to lean on or against oneself; ablehnen or ablehnen for contrast with other German verb prefixes that express rejection or opposition.

In summary, anlehnen covers both physical leaning and figurative reliance, with common reflexive usage for personal posture and transitives for objects touching a surface.