German word

erwachen

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈvaxən/

Meaning

  • verbwake up

Example

Ich erwache jeden Morgen um sechs.

I wake up at six every morning.

Illustration for erwachen (wake up)

More examples

Nach der Renovierung erwachte das historische Viertel zu neuem Leben.

After the renovation, the historic district came back to life.

Core concept

A dim inner light comes on, bringing back wakefulness or attention.

Common phrases

  • zu neuem Leben erwachen

    come back to life

  • aus tiefem Schlaf erwachen

    wake from a deep sleep

  • allmählich erwachen

    gradually awaken

Similar words

aufwachen: To wake up from sleep.
aufstehen: To get up from a lying or sleeping position.
wachwerden: To become fully awake as sleepiness fades.

Definition in German

erwachen bedeutet, aus dem Schlaf oder einer Bewusstlosigkeit wieder wach oder aufmerksam zu werden.

Word origin

Erwachen continues Old High German irwachen, formed from er- and the Germanic verb wachen, with meanings that extend from waking to renewed awareness.

Usage tips

  • Erwachen is normally intransitive, as in 'aus dem Schlaf erwachen'; it does not mean to wake another person.

Other meanings

  • regain consciousnessverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Erwachenawakeningnoun
  • wiedererwachenawaken againverb

Word lists with this word