German word

trauern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtʁaʊ̯ɐn/

Meaning

  • verbgrieve

Example

Ich trauere um meinen Großvater.

I am grieving for my grandfather.

Illustration for trauern (grieve)

More examples

Die Stadt trauert um die Opfer des Unglücks.

The city mourns the victims of the disaster.

Core concept

A person moves through daily life with a quiet weight left by someone or something lost.

Common phrases

  • um einen Angehörigen trauern

    mourn a family member

  • öffentlich um die Opfer trauern

    mourn the victims publicly

  • um vergangene Beziehungen trauern

    mourn past relationships

Similar words

betrauern: Showing deep sorrow for someone who has died or something that has been lost.
weinen: Crying as an expression of sadness or pain.
bedauern: Feeling regret about an event or situation.

Definition in German

Um jemanden oder etwas tiefe Traurigkeit empfinden, oft mit der Präposition um bei Tod oder Verlust verwendet

Word origin

Trauern is an inherited Germanic verb, attested in Middle High German trūren and related Old High German forms.

Usage tips

  • With a person or thing, trauern normally takes um plus the accusative, as in um meinen Großvater.

Other meanings

  • lamentverb
  • mournverb

Opposites

  • sich freuenbe gladverb

Related words

  • Trauermarschmourning marchnoun
  • Traueranzeigedeath noticenoun

Word lists with this word