Meaning 1neutral · 82%
To move one surface back and forth against another, creating friction.
Natural examples
Sie rieb sich die Hände an der kalten Bushaltestelle.
She rubbed her hands at the cold bus stop.
Reib den Fleck vorsichtig mit einem feuchten Tuch.
Rub the stain gently with a damp cloth.
Das Kind rieb sich müde die Augen.
The tired child rubbed their eyes.
Usage note
Reiben is strong: reibt, rieb, hat gerieben. It often takes an accusative object: rub one's hands or eyes.
Mini-lesson: reiben
To move one surface back and forth against another, creating friction. Reiben is strong: reibt, rieb, hat gerieben. It often takes an accusative object: rub one's hands or eyes.
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Choose one answer.Which definition matches «reiben»?