German Conversation · Level 166
30 words
German word
ausweichen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈaʊ̯sˌvaɪ̯çən/
Meaning
- verbavoid
Example
Ich weiche dem Fahrrad aus.
I am avoiding the bicycle.
More examples
Sie weicht einem politischen Thema aus.
She avoids a political topic.
Core concept
A person steps out of another person's path, then uses the same move to sidestep a direct question or confrontation.
Common phrases
einem Thema ausweichen
avoid a topic
politischen Fragen ausweichen
avoid political questions
Similar words
meiden: Keeping away from a particular person or place by deliberate choice.
vermeiden: Taking preventive action to stop an unwanted event or problem from occurring.
aus dem Weg gehen: Avoiding someone by changing routes or places where an encounter might occur.
umgehen: Getting past a troublesome person or topic without dealing with it directly.
Definition in German
einer Person, Sache oder Frage aus dem Weg gehen, um direkte Begegnung oder Auseinandersetzung zu vermeiden
Word origin
The separable verb combines aus, meaning 'out', with the inherited Germanic verb weichen, meaning 'give way' or 'yield'.
Usage tips
- Ausweichen normally takes the dative for the person, thing, or question avoided, as in dem Fahrrad ausweichen.
Other meanings
- dodgeverb
Opposites
- konfrontierenconfrontverb
Related words
- Ausweichstrategieavoidance strategynoun
- ausweichendevasiveadjective