verschlagen
take · crafty · sly
Definition & meaning
verschlagen has several related meanings:
-
Cunning, sly, crafty, or devious
It describes someone who is clever in a rather dishonest or calculating way. It is usually negative, though it can sometimes imply practical cleverness.- ein verschlagener Betrüger — a cunning fraudster
- Sie ist ziemlich verschlagen. — She is rather sly.
-
Driven or carried somewhere unexpectedly
As the past participle of the verb verschlagen, it means that someone or something has been blown, washed, or otherwise forced to a place.- Das Schiff wurde auf eine abgelegene Insel verschlagen. — The ship was washed up on a remote island.
- Es verschlug ihn nach Berlin. — He ended up in Berlin, often suggesting that circumstances brought him there unexpectedly.
-
In the expression “die Sprache verschlagen”
In jemandem die Sprache verschlagen, it means “to leave someone speechless,” usually because of shock, surprise, or amazement.- Diese Nachricht verschlug ihr die Sprache. — This news left her speechless.
Grammar & Word origin
- Adjective: verschlagen — sly, crafty
- Verb: verschlagen — to drive, carry, or force somewhere
- Principal parts: verschlagen – verschlug – hat verschlagen
- Present-tense form: er/sie/es verschlägt
The word consists of ver- + schlagen (). The prefix ver- often indicates a change of direction, an unintended result, or displacement. The meaning developed from the idea of striking or driving something away and later acquired the figurative meaning “cunning” or “devious.”
As an adjective, it declines regularly:
- ein verschlagener Mann — a sly man
- eine verschlagene Frau — a sly woman
- ein verschlagenes Gesicht — a crafty-looking face
Synonyms & antonyms
Meaning “cunning or devious”
Synonyms:
- — clever and sly, often with an emphasis on clever tricks
- — clever or smart; less strongly negative
- — shrewd and experienced at achieving one’s goals, often deceptively
- — thoroughly devious and morally dubious
- — treacherous or deceitful, with stronger emphasis on harming others secretly
Antonyms:
- — sincere and honest
- — honest
- — innocent, unsuspecting, or without deceit
- — naïve; lacking the calculating quality implied by verschlagen
Meaning “carried or driven somewhere”
Possible opposites include:
These are contextual opposites rather than exact dictionary antonyms.
Common phrases & collocations
Make “verschlagen” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Die plötzliche Wendung hat mir fast den Atem verschlagen.verb
The sudden twist almost took my breath away.
Der verschlagene Händler verschwieg wichtige Informationen.adjective
The crafty merchant withheld important information.
Sie erkannte seinen verschlagenen Blick sofort.adjective
She immediately recognized his sly look.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad