umhergezogen

Umhergezogen is the past participle of the German verb umherziehen, meaning to move around from place to place or to wander without a fixed home. The prefix umher- conveys movement around or about, emphasizing itinerant or unfixed relocation rather than a single move.

Grammatically, umherziehen is a separable-prefix verb. In perfect tense it is used with sein: Wir sind umhergezogen. In the simple past (Präteritum) you would say Wir zogen umher. The participle form umhergezogen is used to describe completed movements, often in biographical or narrative contexts. The construction does not require a direct object.

Usage and nuance: umhergezogen describes a life or period characterized by repeated relocations across regions, towns, or countries. It is commonly found in historical, literary, or travel-writing contexts and can carry a neutral or descriptive tone. It is distinct from umziehen, which specifically means to move one’s residence or to relocate to a new home.

Synonyms and related expressions include umherstreifen, umherwandern, or allgemein ziehen, depending on nuance. Compared with umziehen, umhergezogen emphasizes the breadth and itinerancy of movement rather than a single household move.

Examples:

- Seit Jahren ist die Familie umhergezogen und hat in vielen Städten gelebt.

- Der Wanderer zog umher und suchte nach neuem Land.

- Sie hielten sich nie lange an einem Ort auf; sie waren stets umhergezogen.