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verb

versagen

fail

Etwas funktioniert nicht so, wie es soll, oder jemand schafft eine Aufgabe nicht.

Definition & meaning

versagen is a verb with several related meanings:

  1. To fail or not succeed: A person does not meet expectations or cannot do what is needed.
    Er versagte in der Prüfung. — “He failed the exam.”

  2. To fail or stop working: A device, system, or bodily function does not work as it should.
    Der Motor versagte. — “The engine failed.”

  3. To refuse or withhold something: Usually used in formal contexts, often in the pattern jemandem etwas versagen (“to deny someone something”).
    Man versagte ihm die Hilfe. — “He was denied help.”

  4. To deny oneself something: In the reflexive form sich etwas versagen, it means to refrain from or forgo something.
    Sie versagte sich jede Pause. — “She denied herself any break.”

Grammar & Word origin

versagen is a regular, separable? No: it is an inseparable-prefix verb. Its forms are versagt , versagte , and hat versagt . It usually takes haben in the perfect tense.

The prefix ver- changes the meaning of sagen , “to say.” Historically, the verb was associated with saying “no” or refusing; its meanings later broadened to include failing and ceasing to function.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms vary by sense:

  • scheitern — “to fail”; generally means that an attempt or undertaking does not succeed.
  • misslingen — “to go wrong” or “to fail”; usually describes an attempt or outcome rather than a person’s performance.
  • ausfallen — “to break down” or “to fail”; commonly used for equipment or systems.
  • verweigern — “to refuse” or “to deny”; a closer synonym for versagen when something is withheld.

Possible antonyms also depend on the meaning:

  • gelingen — “to succeed”; the opposite when an attempt succeeds rather than fails.
  • funktionieren — “to work” or “to function”; the opposite when a device or system operates properly.
  • gewähren — “to grant”; the opposite of denying or withholding something.

Common phrases & collocations

  • im entscheidenden Moment versagen — to fail at a crucial moment
  • technisch versagen — to fail mechanically or technically
  • jemandem den Dienst versagen — to fail someone or stop working when needed
  • jemandem die Hilfe versagen — to refuse someone help
  • sich etwas versagen — to deny oneself something

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Examples

Du solltest nicht versagen.verb

You should not fail.

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