German Conversation · Level 64
76 words
German word
wehtun
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈveːˌtuːn/
Meaning
- verbache
Example
Mir tut der Kopf weh.
My head aches.
More examples
Beim Spielen tut dem Kind plötzlich der Bauch weh.
While playing, the child's stomach suddenly hurts.
Core concept
A painful effect can be felt in a body part or produced in another person by an action.
Common phrases
Dem Kind tut der Bauch weh
The child's stomach hurts
Jemandem tut etwas weh
Something hurts someone
Similar words
schmerzen: To cause severe pain in a particular part of the body.
sich verletzen: To injure oneself through an action or accident, causing physical pain.
leiden: To suffer physically or emotionally because of illness or pain.
Definition in German
Sowohl das Empfinden von Schmerz als auch das Zufügen von Schmerz beschreibt; häufig in Konstruktionen wie „Mir tut der Rücken weh“ oder reflexiv („Ich habe mir wehgetan“).
Word origin
The separable verb combines Germanic weh, meaning painful or distressing and related to English woe, with tun, meaning do.
Usage tips
- In the present tense, the element weh separates: 'Der Kopf tut weh'; the infinitive is 'wehtun' and the participle is 'wehgetan'.