German word

verzeihen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈtsaɪ̯ən/

Meaning

  • verbforgive

Example

Ich verzeihe dir.

I forgive you.

Illustration for verzeihen (forgive)

More examples

Sie konnte ihm nach Jahren noch nicht verzeihen.

She still could not forgive him years later.

Core concept

A person stops treating another person's wrong as an active grievance.

Common phrases

  • jemandem einen Fehler verzeihen

    forgive someone a mistake

  • sich selbst verzeihen

    forgive oneself

Similar words

vergeben: Releasing resentment and blame toward someone after a wrong.
entschuldigen: Accepting an apology or explanation and forgiving the person's fault.
nachsehen: Overlooking a minor mistake without holding it against someone.
tolerieren: Putting up with unpleasant behavior without approving of it.

Definition in German

Jemandem sein Fehlverhalten nicht mehr vorhalten und ihm vergeben.

Word origin

Verzeihen derives from Middle High German verzeihen, related to zeihen, 'accuse', and its historical formation links forgiveness with withdrawing an accusation.

Usage tips

  • Verzeihen is an inseparable verb, so its prefix stays attached in a main clause: Ich verzeihe dir.

Other meanings

  • overlookverb
  • pardonverb

Opposites

  • nachtragenhold a grudgeverb
  • rächenavengeverb

Related words

  • Verzeihungforgivenessnoun
  • verzeihendforgivingadjective

Word lists with this word