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ansteuern

to head for, to make for (a destination)

verb AN-shtoy-ern Rare
Travel & Places Movement

Usage Note

ansteuern originally meant to steer a vessel toward a destination; it is now used broadly for any purposeful movement toward a goal — den nächsten Hafen ansteuern, ein Café ansteuern. The directional sense is always strong.

Examples

"Nach der langen Wanderung steuerten wir das nächste Gasthaus an."

Natural Translation

After the long hike, we headed for the nearest inn.

Literal Translation

After the long hike steered we the nearest inn toward.

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