verlieren
lose
Etwas nicht mehr haben, weil man es nicht findet oder weil es weg ist.
Definition & meaning
The verb verlieren is a common German term that translates primarily to "to lose." It is used in several contexts:
- To be unable to find something: Misplacing an object or having it taken away from your possession unintentionally (e.g., losing your keys).
- To not win a competition: Being defeated in a game, match, or conflict (e.g., losing a game of chess).
- To suffer the loss of something abstract: This includes losing time, patience, hope, or even losing one's life.
- Physical reduction: It can refer to losing weight or shedding something (e.g., a tree losing its leaves).
Grammar & Word origin
- Grammar: verlieren is a strong, irregular verb.
- Infinitive: verlieren
- Past tense (Präteritum): verlor
- Past participle: verloren
- Auxiliary verb: haben
- Word origin: The word stems from Old High German farliosan. It is composed of the prefix ver- (indicating a negative or destructive process) and the root lieren (related to the Germanic base for "to let go" or "to perish," appearing in the English word "lose").
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- einbüßen (to suffer a loss of something valuable)
- abgeben (to surrender or give away)
- verlegen (to misplace)
- unterliegen (to be defeated)
Antonyms:
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Examples
Sie verlieren nicht gerne.verb
They do not like to lose.
Sie verlieren oft ihren Schlüssel.verb
They often lose their key.
Kinder verlieren oft ihre Spielsachen.verb
Children often lose their toys.
Kinder verlieren manchmal ihre Dinge.verb
Children sometimes lose their things.
Sara verliert manchmal ihre Schlüssel.verb
Sara sometimes loses her keys.
Er kann seinen Hut verlieren.verb
He can lose his hat.
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