German word

meistern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmaɪ̯stɐn/

Meaning

  • verbmaster

Example

Ich habe das neue Programm gemeistert.

I have mastered the new program.

Illustration for meistern (master)

More examples

Wir müssen diese Herausforderung meistern.

We must overcome this challenge.

Core concept

A person handles a demanding skill or obstacle with trained control and brings it to a successful result.

Common phrases

  • eine Herausforderung meistern

    overcome a challenge

  • eine Technik meistern

    master a technique

  • eine Prüfung meistern

    pass an exam

Similar words

beherrschen: Confident, independent use of a skill or field based on thorough understanding.
lernen: Building knowledge or skill through repeated practice and accumulated experience.
bewältigen: Getting through and dealing with a difficult task or situation effectively.
aneignen: Taking in new knowledge or skills and developing them through personal effort.

Definition in German

etwas so gut beherrschen, dass man es sicher anwenden oder ein Problem erfolgreich lösen kann.

Word origin

The verb meistern is formed from the noun Meister, which comes through Middle High German meister from Latin magister.

Usage tips

  • Meistern normally takes a direct accusative object, as in eine Aufgabe meistern, rather than a dative object.

Other meanings

  • overcomeverb
  • cope withverb
  • get throughverb

Opposites

Related words

  • meisterlichmasterfuladjective
  • Meisterstückmasterpiecenoun

Word lists with this word