German Conversation · Level 112
45 words
German word
wehren
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈveːʁən/
Meaning
- verbresist
Example
Er wehrt sich gegen den Angriff.
He is resisting the attack.
More examples
Sie wehrt sich gegen Vorwürfe.
She defends herself against accusations.
Core concept
A person braces against an incoming force and pushes it back, whether the force is an attack, pressure, or an opposing power.
Common phrases
sich wehren gegen
defend oneself against
sich wehren gegen Vorwürfe
defend oneself against accusations
sich mit Händen und Füßen wehren
fight tooth and nail
Similar words
widersprechen: Expressing verbal opposition to another person's view or remark.
sich verteidigen: Defending oneself or one's position through speech or action.
abwehren: Driving back an imminent attack or threat by force or other means.
kontern: Answering an attack or criticism at once with a counterattack or rebuttal.
Definition in German
sich gegen einen Angriff oder Druck verteidigen und Widerstand leisten
Word origin
Wehren developed from Old High German werien, meaning to protect or ward off, through Middle High German weren, and shares its Germanic origin with Wehr.
Usage tips
- The common modern pattern is reflexive: sich gegen plus the accusative names what is resisted, as in sich gegen den Angriff wehren.