German Conversation · Level 28
90 words
German word
fehlen
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈfeːlən/
Meaning
- verbbe missing
Example
Im Glas fehlt ein Keks.
One cookie is missing from the glass.
More examples
Er fehlt mir.
I miss him.
Core concept
A place, object, or person that should be present is missing, so the situation is incomplete.
Common phrases
Es fehlt an Motivation
be lacking in motivation
Mir fehlt Zeit
be short of time
Jemandem fehlt etwas
Someone lacks something
Similar words
vermissen: Longing for someone who is absent and wishing for that person's presence.
mangeln: Lacking enough of a necessary thing or element.
entbehren: Getting by without something or someone that would be helpful to have.
ausbleiben: Not arriving or taking place when expected.
Definition in German
Nicht anwesend sein; bei Personen vermisst werden, bei Sachen nicht vorhanden oder mangelhaft sein.
Word origin
Fehlen continues an old Germanic verb whose historical forms expressed lack or absence and developed into its modern German uses.
Usage tips
- The absent item is the grammatical subject, so Ein Keks fehlt means that one biscuit is missing, while Ein Keks fehlt mir means that I miss one biscuit.