German word

verzweifeln

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈtsvaɪ̯fl̩n/

Meaning

  • verblose hope

Example

Ich verzweifle an dieser Aufgabe.

I am losing hope over this task.

Illustration for verzweifeln (lose hope)

More examples

Viele Studierende verzweifeln an der Grammatik.

Many students lose hope over grammar.

Core concept

A person stands before a maze whose possible routes seem to vanish, leaving no way forward.

Common phrases

  • verzweifeln an der Bürokratie

    lose hope over bureaucracy

  • verzweifeln an der Grammatik

    lose hope over grammar

  • verzweifeln an technischen Problemen

    lose hope over technical problems

Similar words

aufgeben: To stop trying and no longer continue an effort.
verzagen: To lose hope and the courage to keep going.
entmutigen: To undermine someone's motivation or confidence.

Definition in German

Die Hoffnung verlieren und an einer Sache keinen Ausweg mehr sehen

Word origin

The German verb verzweifeln combines ver- with zweifeln, an old German verb meaning to doubt, and ver- marks a resulting change of state.

Usage tips

  • Verzweifeln commonly takes an + dative for the problem or cause, as in "an dieser Aufgabe verzweifeln".

Other meanings

  • be at a lossverb

Opposites

Related words

  • die Verzweiflungdespairnoun
  • verzweifeltdesperateadjective

Word lists with this word