German word

segnen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈzeːgnən/

Meaning

  • verbbless

Example

Die Mutter segnet ihr Kind vor dem Schlafen.

The mother blesses her child before bed.

Illustration for segnen (bless)

More examples

Das Parlament segnet die Änderung.

Parliament approves the amendment.

Core concept

A blessing gesture or formula places a person under favor, while the same act toward a plan gives it an official green light.

Common phrases

  • eine Entscheidung segnen

    approve a decision

  • das Projekt segnen

    approve the project

Similar words

absegnen: To give formal approval to a plan or decision after reviewing its content.
weihen: To set something apart as sacred in a religious ceremony.

Definition in German

jemanden mit Worten oder Zeichen segnen; übertragen: einer Sache formell Zustimmung geben oder sie genehmigen

Word origin

Segnen comes through Old High German seg(i)non from Latin signare, meaning to mark or seal, and developed through Christian ritual use.

Usage tips

  • The separable verb absegnen commonly means to approve or authorize something, as in Der Chef segnet den Plan ab, and is less formal than genehmigen.

Other meanings

  • consecrateverb

Opposites

  • missbilligendisapproveverb
  • verfluchencurseverb

Related words

  • Segnungblessingnoun
  • gesegnetblessedadjective

Word lists with this word