German word

vergehen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈgeːən/

Meaning

  • verbpass

Example

Eine Stunde verging schnell.

An hour went by quickly.

Illustration for vergehen (pass)

More examples

Mit der Zeit vergeht die Erinnerung an Details.

As time passes, the memory of details fades.

Core concept

An hour drains away as a lingering feeling gradually fades.

Common phrases

  • Die Minuten vergehen

    pass

  • Sein Ärger vergeht

    go away

  • Die Jahre vergehen

    pass

Similar words

vorbeigehen: Time or an event passes by and moves on.
verstreichen: An allotted period passes without being used.
verfliegen: Time passes so quickly that it feels brief.
ablaufen: A deadline or scheduled period comes to an end.

Definition in German

Intransitives Verb für das Verstreichen von Zeit oder das Nachlassen eines Gefühls.

Word origin

German vergehen combines ver- with gehen, an inherited Germanic verb related to English go, and developed the sense of moving away or passing out of existence.

Usage tips

  • As a verb, vergehen is lowercase, while capitalized das Vergehen means an offense and has the plural Vergehen.

Other meanings

  • disappearverb

Opposites

  • fortbestehenpersistverb

Related words

Word lists with this word