German Conversation · Level 44
73 words
German word
fassen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈfasən/
Meaning
- verbgrab
Example
Er fasst die Hand des Kindes.
He grabs the child's hand.
More examples
Ich kann das nicht fassen.
I can't grasp that.
Core concept
A grasp gathers a person, idea, or quantity into one manageable hold or bounded space.
Common phrases
die Hand fassen
grasp the hand
etwas fest fassen
grasp something firmly
einen Dieb fassen
catch a thief
Similar words
begreifen: To understand an idea or meaning clearly and fully.
ergreifen: To be deeply affected by an emotion or event.
greifen: To reach out and take hold of something with the hand.
anfassen: To touch something with the hand to examine or check it.
Definition in German
physisch etwas greifen oder aufnehmen; im übertragenen Sinn etwas begreifen, erfassen oder Platz bieten (z. B. etwas fasst etwas oder jemand fasst etwas)
Word origin
Fassen continues an inherited Germanic verb recorded as Old High German fazzōn and Middle High German vazzen; its concrete sense broadened to mental grasp and capacity.
Usage tips
- The phrase etwas in Worte fassen means put something into words, so fassen can describe giving an idea a clear verbal form rather than physically holding it.