The preposition "um" has the following meanings.
| temporal | Example | |
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accurately states a point in time, when linked to a temporal/hour indication | Die Veranstaltung beginnt um 20 Uhr. |
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states time approximately, often combined with the word herum (and always with temporal/hour indications) | Wir treffen uns wieder um Weihnachten (herum). |
| spatial | Example | |
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indicates a circular movement around something (circular or semi-circular orbit) | Sie fuhren mit dem Boot um die Insel (herum). |
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indicates that someone or something is surrounded by something | Eine Kette um den Hals tragen. |
| other meanings | Example | |
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with words designating quantity or measure, it indicates the difference |
Der Rock wurde um 5 cm gekürzt. |