German word

schwören

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈʃvøːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbswear

Example

Ich schwöre dir.

I swear to you.

Illustration for schwören (swear)

More examples

Er schwört auf dieses Mittel.

He swears by this remedy.

Core concept

A person gives words the force of an oath, either pledging faithfulness or insisting that a statement is true.

Common phrases

  • auf etwas schwören

    swear by ___

  • auf die eigene Ehre schwören

    swear on one's honor

  • jemandem schwören

    swear to someone

Similar words

versprechen: To promise to do something in the future.
versichern: To reassure someone by firmly stating that something is true or intended.
beteuern: To insist that something is true in an effort to convince others.
geloben: To make a formal pledge, especially in a solemn or ceremonial setting.

Definition in German

Ein Verb, das bedeutet, feierlich einen Eid oder ein Versprechen mit Worten abzugeben und im Alltag auch etwas nachdrücklich als wahr zu behaupten

Word origin

German schwören comes from the same Germanic word family as English swear, whose meanings likewise developed around oaths and forceful assertions.

Usage tips

  • In auf etwas schwören, the preposition auf takes the accusative and means to swear by something or strongly endorse it.

Other meanings

  • take an oathverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Schwuroathnoun
  • abschwörenforswearverb

Word lists with this word