German word

beherrschen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈhɛɐ̯ʃn̩/

Meaning

  • verbbe fluent in ___

Example

Ich beherrsche Deutsch.

I am fluent in German.

Illustration for beherrschen (be fluent in ___)

More examples

Im Alltag sollte man grundlegende Redewendungen beherrschen.

In everyday life, one should master basic idiomatic expressions.

Core concept

A language, instrument, or situation stays under firm command and responds reliably to its skilled handler.

Common phrases

  • eine Fremdsprache beherrschen

    master a foreign language

  • Redewendungen beherrschen

    master idiomatic expressions

Similar words

verstehen: Understand the meaning or content of words, ideas, or systems correctly.
können: Be able to carry out an action or apply a skill in practice.
lernen: Acquire knowledge or skills by studying and practising them repeatedly.
üben: Train a skill or action through repeated practice.

Definition in German

etwas durch Übung und Wissen so weit lernen, dass man es kontrolliert und zuverlässig einsetzen kann.

Word origin

Beherrschen combines the prefix be- with herrschen, 'to rule', extending the idea of ruling over something to having it fully under control.

Usage tips

  • Beherrschen takes a direct accusative object, as in 'Deutsch beherrschen' or 'ein Instrument beherrschen', rather than a preposition.

Other meanings

  • dominateverb
  • controlverb

Opposites

  • verlernenforgetverb

Related words

  • Beherrschungmasterynoun

Word lists with this word