German word

weigern

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈvaɪ̯gɐn/

Meaning

  • verbrefuse

Example

Er hat sich geweigert, die Frage zu beantworten.

He refused to answer the question.

Illustration for weigern (refuse)

More examples

Der Zeuge weigerte sich, Informationen preiszugeben.

The witness refused to disclose information.

Core concept

A person firmly holds a boundary and declines to carry out an action.

Common phrases

  • sich weigern, Hilfe zu leisten

    refuse to provide help

  • sich weigern, den Vertrag zu unterschreiben

    refuse to sign the contract

  • sich weigern, Informationen preiszugeben

    refuse to disclose information

Similar words

ablehnen: Courteously turn down an offer or proposal.
nein sagen: State a short refusal in conversation.
verneinen: Answer a question with a negative response.
zurückweisen: Dismiss an offer or assertion as unacceptable.

Definition in German

Etwas nicht tun wollen; häufig mit zu + Infinitiv

Word origin

Weigern is an inherited German verb recorded in Middle High German as wîgern, with the meaning 'to refuse'.

Usage tips

  • The usual construction is reflexive: sich weigern, etwas zu tun, with the reflexive pronoun matching the subject.

Opposites

Related words

  • verweigernrefuseverb
  • Weigerungrefusalnoun
  • Weigererrefusernoun

Word lists with this word