German Conversation · Level 150
30 words
German word
verschonen
Pronunciation
IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈʃoːnən/
Meaning
- verbspare
Example
Bitte verschone mich.
Please spare me.
More examples
Die Mutter verschonte ihr Kind vor den Details.
The mother spared her child from the details.
Core concept
A person stands outside the circle of punishment, danger, or exhausting work while others inside face it.
Common phrases
jemanden vor etwas verschonen
spare ___ from ___
jemanden verschonen
let ___ off
Similar words
schonen: To handle a body or object gently so it is not harmed or overstrained.
ersparen: To spare someone the trouble, effort, or unpleasantness of something.
verzeihen: To forgive someone's mistake without holding it against them.
Definition in German
eine Person nicht bestrafen und sie von Mühen oder Schaden freihalten
Word origin
Verschonen combines the prefix ver- with the Germanic verb schonen, whose older sense involved treating something carefully or sparing it.
Usage tips
- Verschonen usually takes an accusative object, as in jemanden verschonen, while jemanden mit etwas verschonen means to spare someone something unpleasant.