German word

entfernen

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛntˈfɛɐ̯nən/

Meaning

  • verbremove

Example

Ich entferne den Fleck.

I remove the stain.

Illustration for entfernen (remove)

More examples

Bitte entferne die Batterie, bevor du das Gerät reinigst.

Please remove the battery before cleaning the device.

Core concept

A hand takes an object out of its current place or away from what holds it.

Common phrases

  • die Batterie entfernen

    remove the battery

  • einen Fleck entfernen

    remove a stain

Similar words

mitnehmen: Taking an object along while moving elsewhere.
wegräumen: Putting scattered items away in their designated places.
wegnehmen: Taking an object away from a person or place.
herausnehmen: Taking an item out of a box or container.

Definition in German

etwas von einem Ort oder aus einem Gegenstand wegnehmen oder beseitigen

Word origin

The verb comes from Middle High German entfernen, formed with ent- meaning away and fern meaning far, so it originally expressed making something distant.

Usage tips

  • For movement away rather than removal of an object, German uses the reflexive sich entfernen, often with von plus the dative.

Other meanings

  • deleteverb
  • detachverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word