beben

to tremble, to quake

verb BAY-ben Rare

Usage Note

beben describes a more intense trembling of the body — from fear, cold, or strong emotion — than the milder zittern. Also used for the earth shaking (die Erde bebt). In body-movement contexts it conveys strong involuntary trembling.

Examples

"Ihre Hände bebten, als sie die Nachricht las."

Natural Translation

Her hands trembled as she read the news.

Literal Translation

Her hands trembled, when she the news read.

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