Verb
feilen
Pronunciation: [ˈfaɪ̯lən]
to file (to smooth or shape something with a file)
C2
rank #11,116
Meanings
Verb
- to file (to smooth or shape something with a file)
- to work on, to fine-tune (to try to improve something to perfection, especially with smaller changes)
Example sentence
Er hat lange an seiner Idee gefeilt.
He spent a long time working on his idea, trying to get it just right.
Word forms
infinitive
feilen
he/she/it
feilt
simple past
feilte
perfect
hat gefeilt
takes an + Dativ
Verb conjugation
Present
ichfeile
dufeilst
er / sie / esfeilt
wirfeilen
ihrfeilt
sie / Siefeilen
Past (Präteritum)
ichfeilte
dufeiltest
er / sie / esfeilte
wirfeilten
ihrfeiltet
sie / Siefeilten
Perfect (Perfekt)
ichhabe gefeilt
duhast gefeilt
er / sie / eshat gefeilt
wirhaben gefeilt
ihrhabt gefeilt
sie / Siehaben gefeilt
Imperative
dufeil!
ihrfeilt!
Siefeilen Sie!
Usage
- an einem Werkstück feilen — Work on a piece with a file; an takes dative.
- an einer Formulierung feilen — Fine-tune wording; a common figurative use.
Die Handwerkerin feilte die scharfen Kanten vorsichtig glatt.
The craftswoman carefully filed the sharp edges smooth.