verb

wiegen

weigh

Etwas auf eine Waage legen, um herauszufinden, wie schwer es ist.

Definition & meaning

The verb "wiegen" has several distinct meanings in German depending on the context and the grammatical conjugation used:

To weigh: This is the most common use, referring to the act of using a scale to determine the weight of an object or person. It also describes the state of having a specific weight, such as saying an object weighs five kilograms.
To rock or sway: This refers to a gentle, rhythmic back-and-forth or side-to-side movement. Examples include rocking a baby to sleep or trees swaying in the wind.
To mince or chop: In cooking, it describes the action of finely chopping ingredients (like herbs or onions) using a curved knife moved in a rocking motion.
Figurative use: It appears in the phrase "sich in Sicherheit wiegen," which means to feel safe or to lull oneself into a false sense of security.

Grammar & Word origin

The verb "wiegen" is interesting because its conjugation changes based on its meaning:

When it means "to weigh" (measuring weight), it is a strong verb: wiegen, wog, hat gewogen.
When it means "to rock" or "to mince," it is a weak verb: wiegen, wiegte, hat gewiegt.

The word originates from the Middle High German "wegen" and the Old High German "wegan," which originally meant to move, carry, or lift. It shares the same root as the English word "weigh."

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms (to weigh): abwiegen, auswiegen, messen.
Synonyms (to rock/sway): schaukeln, schwingen, wiegeln.
Synonyms (to mince): hacken, zerkleinern.
Antonyms: While there is no direct antonym for weighing, for the meaning of movement, one could use stillstehen (to stand still) or fixieren (to fix in place).