Whether it’s a workout, a political shift, or a trembling hand—Germans call it Bewegung. It’s a word that’s always in motion, describing everything from muscle to mass movements.
The noun Bewegung means movement, and it’s one of the 1000 most frequently used nouns in German. You’ll see it in sports, politics, science, medicine, and emotional expression.
It’s a feminine noun, so we say die Bewegung.
Pronunciation
Bewegung is pronounced [beh-VEY-goong].
- The “Be” is soft and unstressed,
- The “weg” rhymes with “vague,”
- The final “ung” ends like “oong,” but lightly nasal.
It flows easily off the tongue—fitting for a word about motion and flow.
Example sentences:
- Regelmäßige Bewegung ist wichtig für die Gesundheit.
Regular movement is important for health. - Die politische Bewegung gewann schnell an Einfluss.
The political movement quickly gained influence. - Hände hoch! Keine Bewegung!
Hands in the air! Don't move!
Nuance and usage tips
Bewegung is used in several key senses:
- Physical motion / exercise
- Körperliche Bewegung – physical activity
- in Bewegung bleiben – to stay active
- Bewegungsmangel – lack of movement (sedentary lifestyle)
- Political / social movement
- Friedensbewegung – peace movement
- Umweltbewegung – environmental movement
- Frauenbewegung – women’s movement
- Motion in science or mechanics
- Bewegungsenergie – kinetic energy
- Bewegungsrichtung – direction of motion
- Emotional stirring
- zu Tränen gerührt von der Bewegung – moved to tears (rare but poetic use)
Its antonym depends on context:
- For physical motion: Stillstand (standstill, masculine)
- For political activity: Gleichgültigkeit (indifference)
Grammatical case examples:
- Nominative:
Die Bewegung wurde von jungen Aktivisten gestartet.
The movement was started by young activists. - Accusative:
Ich brauche heute mehr Bewegung.
I need more movement today. - Dative:
Mit der Bewegung kam auch neue Energie.
With the movement came new energy. - Genitive:
Wegen der Bewegung wurden neue Gesetze diskutiert.
Because of the movement, new laws were discussed.
Feminine case pattern: die, die, der, der
Word variations and language tidbits
Variation Station:
- sich bewegen – to move
- Bewegungsmelder – motion detector
- Bewegungsspiel – movement-based game (for kids)
- Bewegungsfreiheit – freedom of movement
- in Bewegung setzen – to set in motion
Fun idiomatic note:
The phrase etwas in Bewegung bringen means “to get something moving”—literally or figuratively. It’s often used in politics or business:
Die Reform wurde endlich in Bewegung gebracht.
“The reform was finally set in motion.”
📘 Duden entry: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/Bewegung
🎥 Learn Bewegung and the rest of the top 1000 German nouns in our free online video course:
https://deutschable.com/nouns/
Alternate translations note:
For more formal or mechanical motion, Bewegung is also used in physics. For gesture or small movement, Geste or Zuckung might be more specific. But for everything from gym routines to revolutions—Bewegung is the word in motion.
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