verb

verweilen

linger

Für eine längere Zeit an einem Ort bleiben.

Definition & meaning

The verb verweilen means to stay, linger, or tarry in a place for a certain period of time. It often carries a connotation of staying voluntarily or leisurely, such as stopping to enjoy a view or taking a break during a journey.

In a figurative sense, it can be used to describe staying with a specific topic or thought. For example, a speaker might "bei einem Thema verweilen" , meaning they are dwelling on or spending more time discussing a particular subject.

Grammar & Word origin

verweilen is a regular (weak) verb. Its basic forms are:

Präsens: ich verweile
Präteritum: ich verweilte
Partizip II: hat verweilt

The word is a combination of the prefix ver- and the verb weilen . The root of the word is the noun die Weile , which means "a while" or a short period of time. Historically, the prefix ver- here helps express the idea of spending or passing that time in a specific location or state.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

bleiben : To stay or remain in a place.
sich aufhalten : To stay or reside somewhere temporarily.
verharren : To remain in a place or a specific state, often implies a sense of motionlessness.
rasten : To rest or take a break during a journey.
innehalten : To pause or stop briefly in the middle of an action.