German word

verführen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈfyːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbseduce

Example

Er verführte sie mit seinem Lächeln.

He seduced her with his smile.

Illustration for verführen (seduce)

More examples

Politiker dürfen sich nicht von populistischen Versprechen verführen lassen.

Politicians must not let themselves be seduced by populist promises.

Core concept

A person follows an alluring lead instead of the intended course.

Common phrases

  • sich von jemandem verführen lassen

    let oneself be seduced by someone

  • zu einer Straftat verführen

    tempt someone into committing a crime

  • mit Komplimenten verführen

    seduce someone with compliments

Similar words

verleiten: Encouragement or temptation gets someone to do something considered wrong or unwise.
überreden: Reasoned words change someone's mind and move them to take action.
anmachen: A casual flirtatious approach signals sexual interest and seeks a response.
verlocken: Attractive features or good terms entice someone to come closer.

Definition in German

jemanden durch Charme, Worte oder Verhalten dazu bringen, einer Versuchung nachzugeben oder gegen den eigenen Vorsatz zu handeln.

Word origin

The verb verführen combines ver- with führen 'to lead' and continues the Middle High German form vervüeren, whose sense developed into leading someone astray or into temptation.

Usage tips

  • The person is accusative in standard constructions, as in jemanden verführen, while the resulting action commonly follows with zu.

Other meanings

  • temptverb
  • lead astrayverb
  • charmverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Verführungseductionnoun
  • verführbareasily seducedadjective
  • verführendseductiveadjective

Word lists with this word