Meaning 1neutral · 82%
To stay in the air without sinking down or touching the ground.
Natural examples
Der Ballon schwebt ruhig über dem Feld.
The balloon hovers quietly above the field.
Staub schwebt im Sonnenlicht vor dem Fenster.
Dust floats in the sunlight by the window.
Das Papier schwebte kurz über dem Ventilator.
The paper briefly hovered above the fan.
Usage note
When hovering without moving to a destination, the perfect uses haben: hat geschwebt. Movement to a destination can use sein.
Mini-lesson: schweben
To stay in the air without sinking down or touching the ground. When hovering without moving to a destination, the perfect uses haben: hat geschwebt. Movement to a destination can use sein.
Check your learning
Choose one answer.Which definition matches «schweben»?