Breakdown of Wir laufen im Kreis, und plötzlich taucht wieder eine Wand auf.
ein
a, an (eine)
und
and
wir
we
die Wand
the wall
laufen
to walk / to run (steady pace, jog)
plötzlich
suddenly
wieder
again
im
in the (used with months) / in the (contraction of in + dem)
der Kreis
the circle
auftauchen
to appear
Questions & Answers about Wir laufen im Kreis, und plötzlich taucht wieder eine Wand auf.
Why is it im Kreis (singular) when the English translation says 'in circles' (plural)?
Why does the verb taucht come right after plötzlich instead of the subject?
The word und is a coordinating conjunction, which means it takes 'position 0' and doesn't count toward the word order. The adverb plötzlich (suddenly) takes position 1 of the new clause. Because German main clauses strictly require the conjugated verb in position 2, taucht has to come next, pushing the subject (eine Wand) later in the sentence.
Where does the auf at the end of the sentence come from?
It's the prefix of the separable verb auftauchen (to appear or emerge). In a normal main clause, the conjugated part of the verb (taucht) takes the second position, while the separable prefix (auf) gets kicked to the very end.
Does laufen mean 'to walk' or 'to run' here?
It can mean both! While gehen is the standard word for walking and rennen means running, laufen is a very common in-between word. It is frequently used for walking, moving on foot, or running. In the context of wandering around and hitting a wall, 'walking' is the most natural translation.
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