schaukelt

Schaukelt is the third-person singular present tense form of the German verb schaukeln. The verb denotes motion that alternates between lifting and lowering or tilting away from a central position, i.e., a swinging or rocking movement. Schaukeln can describe physical motion as well as more figurative oscillation.

In practical use, schaukeln describes the movement of objects or beings that are set in motion to swing back and forth. Common examples include a child on a playground swing, a boat that rocks on the water, or glasses that sway when a vehicle passes by. Figuratively, the term can refer to situations, moods, or opinions that oscillate or remain unsettled, as in a discussion that schaukelt between agreement and disagreement.

Conjugation and forms: schaukeln is a regular verb. Present tense forms are: ich schaukle, du schaukelst, er/sie/es schaukelt, wir schaukeln, ihr schaukelt, sie schaukeln. The past participle is geschaukelt, and the simple past forms include er schaukelte. The infinitive and the participles are generally used in similar syntactic contexts as in other regular German verbs.

Etymology: The verb derives from the noun Schaukel, which names a swinging or rocking device. The noun itself reflects the core meaning of the movement, and the verb schaukeln extended to describe the act of performing that motion.

See also: Schaukel, schaukeln (infinitive), Schaukeln als Spielgerät.