German word

versehen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈzeːən/

Meaning

  • verbget it wrong

Example

Ich habe mich versehen.

I got it wrong.

Illustration for versehen (get it wrong)

More examples

Bei der Rechnung hat er sich versehen.

He got the amount on the bill wrong.

Core concept

A glance lands on the wrong label, so the following judgment goes astray.

Common phrases

  • sich versehen in der Zahl

    miscalculate the number

  • sich versehen in der Uhrzeit

    get the time wrong

Similar words

verwechseln: Take one person or thing for another.
verlesen: Misread a written word or passage.
übersehen: Overlook something without noticing it.
missverstehen: Misinterpret someone's words or intended meaning.

Definition in German

Etwas aufgrund von Verwechslung oder falscher Beobachtung falsch beurteilen

Word origin

The verb combines ver- with sehen, 'see', and its mistake sense developed from the idea of seeing something incorrectly.

Usage tips

  • For 'get it wrong', German normally uses the reflexive form sich versehen, as in Ich habe mich versehen; nonreflexive versehen has other meanings such as equip or provide.

Opposites

  • recht habenbe correctverb

Related words

Word lists with this word