German word

wiegen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈviːgn̩/

Meaning

  • verbweigh

Example

Die Kiste wiegt fünf Kilo.

The box weighs five kilos.

Illustration for wiegen (weigh)

More examples

Seine Worte wiegen in der Diskussion stark.

His words carry a lot of weight in the discussion.

Core concept

A gentle rocking motion makes a load's heaviness perceptible and eases a sleeper toward rest.

Common phrases

  • in der Diskussion wiegt

    carry weight in the discussion

Similar words

schaukeln: Rock a person or object from side to side or back and forth.
abwägen: Consider the pros and cons of several choices to reach a decision.
messen: Determine the numerical value of a length, temperature, or weight with an instrument.
aufwiegen: Be greater than something else in value or weight.

Definition in German

das Gewicht einer Sache angeben oder messen; auch jemanden sanft in den Schlaf schaukeln

Word origin

The two senses reflect closely related inherited Germanic verbs: Old High German wegan gave the weighing sense linked with English weigh, while wigan gave the rocking sense.

Usage tips

  • For a stated weight, the object is the subject, as in Die Kiste wiegt fünf Kilo; for rocking a person, that person is an accusative object in jemanden in den Schlaf wiegen.

Other meanings

  • rockverb

Related words

  • Wiegungweighingnoun

Word lists with this word