German word

Verzicht

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈtsɪçt/

Meaning

  • masculine noungiving up

Example

Durch den Verzicht auf sein Erbe vermied er Schulden.

He avoided debt by giving up his inheritance.

Illustration for Verzicht (giving up)

More examples

Die Partei forderte den Verzicht auf Gewalt.

The party demanded the renunciation of violence.

Core concept

A person steps back from a benefit or right that could be taken, leaving it unused by choice.

Common phrases

  • einen Verzicht in Kauf nehmen

    accept a sacrifice

  • der Verzicht auf Komfort

    giving up comfort

Similar words

Aufgabe: Abandoning an activity or undertaking after pursuing it.

Definition in German

Verzicht bezeichnet das bewusste Aufgeben oder Nichtinanspruchnehmen von Rechten, Gütern oder Vorteilen.

Word origin

Verzicht is formed from the verb verzichten and names the act expressed by that verb, whose Middle High German predecessor was verzīhen, meaning to renounce.

Usage tips

  • The phrase auf etwas verzichten can mean doing without something, so Verzicht need not describe a permanent abandonment.

Other meanings

  • abandonmentnoun
  • foregoingnoun

Opposites

Related words

  • unverzichtbarindispensableadjective
  • Verzichtsrechtright of waivernoun

Word lists with this word