sinken/ˈzɪŋkn̩/to sink; to drop; to decline
sinken is a German verb that means to sink, to drop, or to decline. It is pronounced /ˈzɪŋkn̩/. In conjugation, the simple past is "sank" and the past participle is "gesunken".
Definitions
1.to move downward, to go below the surface (especially of liquids)(movement downward, physical)
a.to go down under the surface of water or another liquid
Das Schiff begann zu sinken, nachdem es den Eisberg gerammt hatte.—The ship began to sink after it hit the iceberg.
2.to decrease in amount, value, or level; to fall(level/amount/value)
a.to go down in number, price, or strength
Die Temperaturen sinken im Winter deutlich.—Temperatures drop significantly in winter.
b.to decrease (e.g., prices, values, numbers)
Der Ölpreis ist in den letzten Wochen stark gesunken.—The oil price has dropped significantly in recent weeks.
Conjugation
| Infinitive | sinken |
|---|---|
| Present (ich) | sinke |
| Present (du) | sinkst |
| Present (er/sie/es) | sinkt |
| Preterite (ich) | sank |
| Participle II | gesunken |
| Konjunktiv II (ich) | sänke |
| Imperative (singular) | sinke |
| Imperative (plural) | sinkt |
| Auxiliary | sein |
Frequently asked questions
- What does "sinken" mean in English?
- "sinken" means to sink, to drop, or to decline. It is a German verb.
- How do you pronounce "sinken"?
- "sinken" is pronounced /ˈzɪŋkn̩/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet.
- What is the past participle of "sinken"?
- The past participle (Partizip II) of "sinken" is "gesunken", used with the auxiliary "sein".
- What is the simple past of "sinken"?
- In the simple past (Präteritum), "sinken" becomes "sank" in the first person singular.
- What part of speech is "sinken"?
- "sinken" is a verb in German.
