spürte

Spürte is the simple past (Präteritum) form of the German verb spüren, meaning to feel or sense. It is used mainly in written German or formal narration to describe sensations or perceptions that occurred in the past. The corresponding past participle is gespürt, which is used with haben to form the present perfect: ich habe gespürt.

Conjugation in Präteritum for singular and plural forms includes: ich spürte, du spürtest, er spürte, wir spürten, ihr spürtet, sie spürten. This form is common in storytelling and historical writing, where past events are described in sequence.

Usage and nuance: Spüren covers both physical sensations (Kälte spüren, Schmerz spüren) and mental or emotional perceptions (Angst spüren, Schuld spüren). In everyday speech, speakers often replace the Präteritum with the present perfect (Ich habe den Schmerz gespürt) or with simple present in certain contexts. Spüren tends to imply a more direct, immediate perception or a definite moment of sensing, whereas fühlen is a broader term for physical or emotional feeling.

Examples in context: Ich spürte den kalten Wind auf der Haut. Sie spürte eine tiefe Enttäuschung, die plötzlich aufstieg. In literature, spüren can convey a vivid, experiential moment, contributing to mood and atmosphere.

Etymology and relatives: The verb spüren derives from Germanic roots and has cognates in related Germanic languages. Its meaning and use align with senses of perception and awareness across the German language.