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krampfen

to cramp, to have a muscle cramp

verb KRAMP-fen Rare
Body & Health Movement

Also means

to clench

Usage Note

krampfen describes a muscle cramping involuntarily. Often used reflexively (sich krampfen) for a muscle seizing up. Learners encounter it in sports, medical, and pain-description contexts. Distinct from verkrampfen, which implies chronic tension.

Examples

"Beim Schwimmen krampfte plötzlich sein linkes Bein."

Natural Translation

While swimming his left leg suddenly cramped up.

Literal Translation

At the swimming cramped suddenly his left leg.

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