wölben

Wölben is a German verb meaning to bulge, to curve outward, or to arch. It can describe surfaces, objects or parts of the body that take on a rounded, outward contour. The reflexive form sich wölben is used when a person or animal themselves arches or bows, as in arching the back or body. The term is common in technical contexts such as architecture, materials science, and anatomy, but it can also appear in everyday language to describe any outward curvature.

Etymology and related terms

The word is of Germanic origin and is connected to the noun Wölbung, meaning an arch, vault, or bulge. The connection between the verb and the noun reflects the same idea of a curved, outwardly rounded form. Related terms include wölbend (arching) and gewölbt (arched or vaulted), the latter being the past participle used in compound tenses.

Conjugation and usage

Wölben is a regular weak verb. Present tense forms are: ich wölbe, du wölbst, er/sie/es wölbt, wir wölben, ihr wölbt, sie wölben. Preterite (simple past) forms are: ich wölbte, du wölbtest, er/sie/es wölbte, wir wölbten, ihr wölbtet, sie wölbten. The past participle is gewölbt, and the auxiliary used in perfect tenses is hat: er hat gewölbt. The reflexive form uses sich: er hat sich gewölbt.

Examples

- Der Bogen wölbt sich nach außen. (The bow curves outward.)

- Der Rücken wölbt sich, wenn er sich streckt. (The back arches when he stretches.)

- Der Metallring wölbt sich unter dem Druck. (The metal ring bulges under the pressure.)

See also

Wölbung (arch, bulge) and gewölbt (arched, vaulted).