führen

• IPA^(key): /ˈfyːʁən/, [ˈfyːʁən], [ˈfyːɐn] (standard)
• IPA^(key): /fyːɐ̯n/, /fʏɐ̯n/ (common speech)

• Audio:

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• Hyphenation: füh‧ren

From Middle High German vüeren, from Old High German fuoren, from Proto-West Germanic *fōrijan, from Proto-Germanic *fōrijaną, originally the causative of faran (“to proceed”).

führen (weak, third-person singular present führt, past tense führte, past participle geführt, auxiliary haben)

1. (transitive) to lead
2. (transitive, formal) to carry, to sell

   Der Laden führt keine Zigaretten. ― The shop doesn't carry cigarettes.

3. (transitive) to conduct some activity or process, to hold (a discussion, a negotiation), to have (a conversation), to lead (one's life), to wage (a war or campaign), to fight (a war)

   Regie führen ― to direct (a film)

   • 1919, Walther Kabel, Irrende Seelen, Werner Dietsch Verlag, page 108:

     Unsere Unterredung wurde jetzt im leichten Plauderton geführt wie ein harmloses Gespräch unter guten Bekannten.

     Our discussion was now held in a light conversational tone like a harmless chat between friendly acquaintances.

   • 2022 January 3, Tagesanzeiger, “Verbreitung von Atomwaffen soll verhindert werden":

     «Ein Atomkrieg kann nicht gewonnen werden und darf nie geführt werden», erklärten die fünf ständigen Mitglieder des UNO-Sicherheitsrates.

     "A nuclear war cannot be won and must never be fought," the five permanent members of the UN Security Council declared.

4. (transitive) to wield (a weapon)

   Die Heldin führte ein mächtiges Schwert. ― The heroine wielded a mighty sword.

5. (transitive) to operate (a vehicle)
6. (transitive, chiefly Austria, Bavaria, dated everywhere else) to drive someone; to transport someone or something
7. (reflexive) to behave oneself, to conduct oneself (of prisoner, student or other person under supervision)
8. (intransitive) (of an athlete or sports team) to be in the lead

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

führen

1. first/third-person plural preterite subjunctive of fahren

• “führen” in Digitales Wörterbuch der deutschen Sprache
• “führen” in Uni Leipzig: Wortschatz-Lexikon
• “führen” in Duden online
• “führen” in OpenThesaurus.de