German word

wahrnehmen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvaːɐ̯ˌneːmən/

Meaning

  • verbperceive

Example

Ich nehme den Geruch wahr.

I perceive the smell.

Illustration for wahrnehmen (perceive)

More examples

In Gesprächen nehme ich viele Informationen nonverbal wahr.

In conversations, I perceive a great deal of information through nonverbal cues.

Core concept

A sensation, fact, or opportunity enters attention and is taken up for recognition, response, or use.

Common phrases

  • Informationen wahrnehmen

    perceive information

  • eine Gefahr wahrnehmen

    perceive a danger

Similar words

bemerken: To become aware of a change or event by seeing or hearing it.
erkennen: To discern who or what something is and understand its meaning.
fühlen: To feel pain, temperature, or emotion through the senses.
spüren: To detect a subtle sensation or presence physically or intuitively.

Definition in German

Etwas sinnlich oder gedanklich registrieren und oft bewusst entscheiden, es zu nutzen oder darauf zu reagieren.

Word origin

Wahrnehmen combines wahr, meaning "true" or "real," with nehmen, "take," and developed the sense of taking something as real or registering it.

Usage tips

  • As a separable verb, wahrnehmen appears as "Ich nehme den Geruch wahr" and forms the perfect with "wahrgenommen."

Other meanings

  • noticeverb
  • recognizeverb
  • useverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Wahrnehmungsvermögenperceptual abilitynoun
  • wahrnehmbarperceptibleadjective

Word lists with this word