verb
weigern
refuse
Etwas absichtlich nicht tun wollen oder ablehnen.
The German word "weigern" is a verb meaning "to refuse" or "to decline". It comes from the base verb "wagen" (to dare, to venture), but the form "weigern" itself stands for rejecting or not agreeing to do something (without prefixes, it's a root verb).
Similar words include:
- ablehnen (to reject, refuse),
- verweigern (to deny, refuse; more emphatic than "weigern"),
- absagen (to cancel, refuse an invitation).
Differences:
- "weigern" is used reflexively (sich weigern) and implies a conscious refusal ("sich weigern, etwas zu tun" = refusing to do something).
- "verweigern" often focuses on denying or withholding something (like permission or access).
- "ablehnen" is broader, used for various types of refusal or rejection, including offers or proposals.
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Examples
Er weigert sich, das zu tun.verb
He refuses to do that.
Er weigert sich zu gehen.verb
He refuses to go.
Manchmal weigert er sich, die Aufgabe zu machen.verb
Sometimes he refuses to do the task.
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