sich weigern
refuse
Etwas nicht tun wollen und klar Nein sagen.
Definition & meaning
sich weigern means to refuse or to be unwilling to do something. It often suggests a deliberate refusal or resistance to pressure, a request, or an instruction.
- Sie weigert sich, die Frage zu beantworten. — “She refuses to answer the question.”
- Er weigerte sich zu gehen. — “He refused to leave.”
Grammar & Word origin
This is a reflexive verb: sich is the reflexive pronoun, and weigern carries the main meaning. It is commonly followed by an infinitive with zu:
- sich weigern, etwas zu tun — “to refuse to do something”
The verb’s principal forms are weigert sich (present), weigerte sich (simple past), and hat sich geweigert (present perfect). Its past participle is formed with ge-.
The verb is historically related to Middle High German wīgern, meaning “to be reluctant” or “to refuse.”
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- ablehnen — “to reject” or “decline.” More broadly applicable; it can refer to rejecting an offer, proposal, or request, without necessarily emphasizing resistance.
- verweigern — “to refuse” or “withhold.” Often used when someone denies something to another person, as in refusing access or permission.
- sich sträuben [?](vocabuo://word/sich sträuben) — “to resist” or “be reluctant.” Emphasizes opposition or reluctance and can sound less like a firm, explicit refusal.
Antonyms:
- sich bereit erklären [?](vocabuo://word/sich bereit erklären) — “to agree to do something” or “declare oneself willing”; a direct contrast when someone accepts a request.
- einwilligen — “to consent” or “agree,” especially to a proposal or request.
Common phrases & collocations
- sich weigern, etwas zu tun [?](vocabuo://word/sich weigern, etwas zu tun) — to refuse to do something
- sich weigern, eine Frage zu beantworten [?](vocabuo://word/sich weigern, eine Frage zu beantworten) — to refuse to answer a question
- sich weigern, einer Aufforderung nachzukommen [?](vocabuo://word/sich weigern, einer Aufforderung nachzukommen) — to refuse to comply with an instruction or request
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Examples
Das Kind weigerte sich, Gemüse zu essen.other
The child refused to eat vegetables.
Sie hat sich geweigert, das Formular zu unterschreiben.other
She refused to sign the form.
Er weigert sich, sein Zimmer aufzuräumen.other
He refuses to tidy up his room.
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