German word

verlieren

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈliːʁən/

Meaning

  • verblose

Example

Ich verliere oft meine Schlüssel.

I often lose my keys.

Illustration for verlieren (lose)

More examples

Bei der Arbeit verliere ich manchmal den Überblick.

At work, I sometimes lose sight of the big picture.

Core concept

A possession, chance, grip, or contest slips out of reach.

Common phrases

  • verliere den Überblick

    lose sight of the big picture

  • verliere den Faden

    lose the thread

  • verliere die Geduld

    lose patience

  • verliere meine Schlüssel

    lose my keys

Similar words

verlegen: To put something somewhere and temporarily forget where it was placed.
verpassen: To miss a scheduled event or means of transport by arriving too late.
aus den Augen verlieren: To lose sight of or stop keeping track of someone or something.

Definition in German

etwas oder jemanden nicht mehr haben oder wiederfinden können; auch: eine Chance, Kontrolle oder ein Spiel verlieren

Word origin

Verlieren comes from Old High German firliosan, an inherited Germanic form related to English lose, and later developed senses covering defeat and loss of control.

Usage tips

  • Verlieren takes a direct accusative object, as in "Ich verliere meine Schlüssel," not a dative object.

Other meanings

  • be beatenverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word