German word

fechten

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈfɛçtn̩/

Meaning

  • verbfence

Example

Ich fechte jeden Samstag im Verein.

I fence at the club every Saturday.

Illustration for fechten (fence)

More examples

Im Turnier fechten die Sportler um den Sieg.

In the tournament, the athletes fence for victory.

Core concept

A fencer uses a blade to attack and parry within a contest, with victory decided by successful touches.

Common phrases

  • fechten im Verein

    fence at the club

  • fechten mit dem Degen

    fence with an épée

Similar words

kämpfen: Struggle against an opponent using force or skill in an effort to win.
duellieren: Fight one opponent in a formal contest to settle a dispute or defend honor.

Definition in German

Als Sport mit Degen, Florett oder Säbel nach festen Regeln angreifen und parieren, um Punkte zu erzielen

Word origin

Fechten is an inherited Germanic verb, developing through Old High German fehtan and Middle High German vehten and related to English fight.

Usage tips

  • Fechten has a vowel-changing present stem: ich fechte, but du fichtst and er ficht.

Other meanings

  • duelverb

Related words

  • das Fechtenfencingnoun
  • der Fechterfencernoun

Word lists with this word