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turnen

do gymnastics

verb TOOR-nen Rare
Body & Health Movement

Also means

clamber about

Usage Note

turnen means to do gymnastics, a word linked to the German Turnverein tradition. Colloquially it describes children clambering energetically about. The perfect takes haben: Sie hat am Reck geturnt.

Examples

"In der Halle turnen die Kinder am Barren."

Natural Translation

In the hall the children do gymnastics on the parallel bars.

Literal Translation

In the hall do-gymnastics the children on-the parallel-bars.

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