German word

wegfallen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvɛkˌfalən/

Meaning

  • verbbe canceled

Example

Der Ausflug fällt wegen des Regens weg.

The trip has been canceled because of the rain.

Illustration for wegfallen (be canceled)

More examples

Die Veranstaltung fällt wegen Personalmangels weg.

The event is canceled because of a staff shortage.

Core concept

A scheduled item drops off a plan or calendar, so it is no longer included or does not happen.

Common phrases

  • Veranstaltung fällt weg

    Event is canceled

  • Kurs fällt weg

    Course is canceled

Similar words

entfallen: A rule or requirement is excluded and no longer applies.
ausfallen: A scheduled event is canceled and does not take place.
weglassen: An item or word is deliberately left out of a text or list.
streichen: A planned item is canceled or deleted from a schedule or list.

Definition in German

Aus einem Plan oder Programm entfernt werden; etwas, das vorgesehen war, wird gestrichen oder findet nicht statt.

Word origin

The separable verb combines weg ('away') with fallen ('fall'), extending the image of something falling away to an item or event dropping out of a plan.

Usage tips

  • In a main clause, wegfallen separates: Der Ausflug fällt wegen des Regens weg, while its past participle is weggefallen.

Other meanings

  • disappearverb
  • be omittedverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Wegfallcancellationnoun
  • wegfallenddisappearingadjective

Word lists with this word