German Conversation · Level 76
57 words
German word
versagen
Pronunciation
IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈzaːgn̩/
Meaning
- verbfail
Example
Ich versage in der Prüfung.
I fail the exam.
More examples
Die Behörde versagte seinen Antrag.
The authority denied his application.
Core concept
An expected ability or function gives no result, whether through failure, refusal, or breakdown.
Common phrases
im Gespräch versagen
fail in a conversation
bei der Arbeit versagen
fail at work
einen Antrag versagen
deny an application
Similar words
nicht schaffen: Be unable to accomplish a task or reach a goal despite effort.
nicht bestehen: Fail to pass an examination or formal assessment.
scheitern: End in failure without reaching the intended goal.
misslingen: Result in an unsuccessful outcome rather than the intended result.
Definition in German
bei einer Aufgabe scheitern; auch jemandem etwas verweigern oder bei Geräten nicht funktionieren
Word origin
Versagen is an inherited German formation from ver- and sagen, with the earlier sense of refusing or denying and later senses of failing and breaking down.
Usage tips
- With a person, jemandem etwas versagen means denying someone something, while intransitive versagen means failing or malfunctioning.