German Conversation · Level 112
45 words
German word
erfassen
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈfasən/
Meaning
- verbunderstand
Example
Ich erfasse das Problem nicht.
I don't understand the problem.
More examples
Wir müssen zuerst die Adresse erfassen.
We must first register the address.
Core concept
A complex situation fits together as a whole after its important features are taken in.
Common phrases
eine Adresse erfassen
register an address
eine Bestellung erfassen
record an order
Angaben erfassen
enter the required information
Similar words
verstehen: To clearly understand the meaning of words, statements, or situations.
begreifen: To understand a concept or process deeply and fully.
mitbekommen: To learn what was said or what happened, often by hearing it.
erkennen: To identify what is happening through observation or prior knowledge.
Definition in German
die Struktur oder das Wesentliche einer Sache schnell erkennen und im Blick behalten
Word origin
Erfassen is formed with er- and the Germanic verb fassen, 'to grasp', whose meaning extends here from physical holding to mental or informational capture.
Usage tips
- For ordinary conversational 'understand', verstehen is often more natural, while erfassen stresses a complete or quick grasp.
Other meanings
- recordverb
- registerverb
- graspverb
Opposites
- missverstehenmisunderstandverb
Related words
- Erfassungrecordingnoun