German word

beleidigen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈlaɪ̯dɪgən/

Meaning

  • verbinsult

Example

Ich will dich nicht beleidigen.

I don't want to insult you.

Illustration for beleidigen (insult)

More examples

Niemand sollte jemanden öffentlich beleidigen.

No one should publicly insult anyone.

Core concept

A cutting word or disrespectful act lowers someone's standing and causes emotional pain.

Common phrases

  • jemanden beleidigen

    insult someone

  • jemanden öffentlich beleidigen

    publicly insult someone

  • mit Worten beleidigen

    insult someone with words

Similar words

beschimpfen: Verbally attack someone with harsh insults or swear words.
verspotten: Make fun of someone's behavior or words for others to laugh at.
kränken: Cause hurt feelings by damaging someone's self-respect.
erniedrigen: Put someone to shame in public and make them feel inferior.

Definition in German

jemanden mit Worten oder Taten herabsetzen und dadurch verletzen

Word origin

Middle High German beleiden meant to cause Leid or harm, and its modern descendant beleidigen retains this sense of inflicting personal hurt through an insult.

Usage tips

  • In Ich will dich nicht beleidigen, the phrase commonly softens a potentially blunt remark rather than referring only to deliberate abuse.

Other meanings

  • hurtverb
  • abuseverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Beleidigunginsultnoun
  • beleidigendinsultingadjective
  • beleidigtoffendedadjective

Word lists with this word