Dictionary
spinnen
German → American English
American English
spiders
Fäden drehen, Garn herstellen oder umgangssprachlich verrückt sein; auch von Spinnen, die ein Netz weben.
Die Spinne spinnt ein Netz im Garten.Watch the register: as a literal verb, 'spinnen' means to spin/web thread or a spider spins a web; in colloquial use, it can mean 'to be crazy' or 'to babble nonsense.'
Related words
Explore nearby vocabulary picked for learners studying this word.
Frequently asked questions
What does "spinnen" mean in English?
"Spinnen" can mean "to spin" or "to weave," and colloquially it can mean "to be crazy" or "to talk nonsense."
Is "spinnen" the same as "spiders"?
No. "Spinnen" is a verb, while "Spinnen" can also be the plural of "Spinne" meaning "spiders." The base word here is the verb "spinnen."
When do Germans use "spinnen" informally?
People use "spinnen" informally to say someone is acting crazy, unreasonable, or is making nonsense.