pauken

to cram; to drill

verb POW-ken Rare

Also means

to drum

Usage Note

Pauken is a colloquial synonym for intensive studying or drilling, especially vocabulary and formulas: Vokabeln pauken. Like büffeln, it has a slightly negative connotation of mechanical repetition rather than deep understanding. Pauken also means 'to play drums' in music.

Examples

"Er paukt jeden Abend lateinische Vokabeln."

Natural Translation

He drills Latin vocabulary every evening.

Literal Translation

He drills every evening Latin vocabulary.

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