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noun

das Verlieren, –

lose

Definition & meaning

The verb verlieren primarily means "to lose." It is used in several distinct contexts in German:

  1. To misplace or be deprived of an object: This refers to the physical loss of a possession because one does not know where it is or because it has been taken away. For example, losing one's keys or wallet.
  2. To be defeated: In the context of sports, games, or warfare, it means to fail to win or to be the loser in a competition.
  3. To lose a person: This can refer to the death of a friend or relative, or the end of a relationship where the person is no longer part of one's life.
  4. To decrease in quality or quantity: It can describe the loss of abstract things, such as losing hope, patience, weight, or interest.
  5. To leak or drop something: It can also be used when a container or an object is losing a substance, such as a car losing oil or a tree losing its leaves.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: Verlieren is a strong (irregular) verb. Its principal parts are:

  • Präsens: ich verliere, du verlierst, er/sie/es verliert
  • Präteritum: ich verlor
  • Perfekt: ich habe verloren

In the passive voice, it follows the standard rules for strong verbs. The past participle verloren is also frequently used as an adjective to describe something that is lost or a person who feels hopeless.

Word origin: The word descends from the Old High German farliosan and Middle High German verliersen. The prefix ver- often denotes a departure, a loss, or a negative outcome, while the root is related to the English word "lose." Historically, the "s" in the root changed to an "r" over time due to a linguistic process known as rhotacism.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

  • verlegen : To misplace something (specifically when you know you have it but cannot find it).
  • einbüßen : To suffer a loss, often used in more formal or economic contexts.
  • unterliegen : To be defeated or to succumb to an opponent.
  • verspielen : To lose something through gambling or by making a reckless mistake.

Antonyms:

  • finden : To find (the opposite of misplacing an object).
  • gewinnen : To win (the opposite of being defeated in a game).
  • siegen : To triumph or be victorious.
  • behalten : To keep or retain (the opposite of being deprived of something).
  • erhalten : To receive or preserve.

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Examples

Wir dürfen nicht den Mut verlieren.noun

We must not lose courage.

Er hat gestern seinen Schlüssel verloren.noun

He lost his key yesterday.

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