German word

verwirren

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈvɪʁən/

Meaning

  • verbconfuse

Example

Das Thema verwirrt mich.

The topic confuses me.

Illustration for verwirren (confuse)

More examples

Kleine Ungenauigkeiten in der Statistik verwirren oft die Diskussion.

Small inaccuracies in the statistics often confuse the discussion.

Core concept

Separate threads twist together until their individual paths and meanings can no longer be followed.

Common phrases

  • den Gesprächspartner verwirren

    confuse the conversation partner

  • die Fakten verwirren

    confuse the facts

Similar words

durcheinanderbringen: Mix things up so their order or arrangement can no longer be sorted out.
verunsichern: Undermine someone's confidence or certainty, leaving them unsure.
irritieren: Cause mild annoyance or puzzlement that makes someone unsure how to respond.
irreführen: Lead someone to a false understanding through incorrect information.

Definition in German

jemanden in geistige Unordnung bringen, so dass Gedanken oder Wahrnehmungen durcheinander geraten.

Word origin

Verwirren is formed with the prefix ver- from wirren, whose older German meaning involved entangling or throwing something into disorder.

Usage tips

  • The person affected by verwirren is marked as an accusative object, so 'Das Thema verwirrt mich' uses mich rather than mir.

Other meanings

  • bewilderverb
  • mix upverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Verwirrungconfusionnoun
  • verwirrendconfusingadjective

Word lists with this word