üben

Üben is a German verb meaning to practice, to train, or to rehearse. It refers to the repeated performance of an activity in order to improve a skill. The noun das Üben denotes the act or process of practicing. In everyday language, üben is used with subjects performing activities such as playing an instrument, speaking a language, or engaging in sports.

Conjugation in the present tense follows a regular pattern with a umlaut in the second and third person singular: ich übe, du übst, er übt; wir üben, ihr übt, sie üben. The simple past (preterite) is formed as ich übte, du übstest, er übte; wir übten, ihr übtet, sie übten. The past participle is geübt and is used with haben to form the perfect: ich habe geübt. The verb can also appear in dependent clauses and with modal or auxiliary constructions.

Usage and nuance: Üben is common in educational, artistic, and athletic contexts. Examples include "Ich übe jeden Tag Klavier" (I practice piano every day) or "Wir üben die Grammatik" (We practice the grammar). The noun form das Üben emphasizes the ongoing process of practice, while the noun die Übung refers to a specific exercise or drill.

Etymology and related terms: The verb originates in the Germanic language family, with cognates in other languages such as Dutch oefenen and Swedish öva. Related German terms include die Übung (an exercise or drill) and die Praxis (in a broader sense of practice or practical experience).

See also: Übung, Praxis.