German Conversation · Level 88
58 words
German word
wittern
Pronunciation
IPA/ˈvɪtɐn/
Meaning
- verbsniff out
Example
Sie witterte einen Betrug.
She sniffed out a fraud.
More examples
Er wittert eine Chance, den Skandal aufzudecken.
He sniffs out an opportunity to expose the scandal.
Core concept
A nose catches a faint trace and senses something hidden behind it.
Common phrases
eine Chance wittern
sniff out a chance
ein Risiko wittern
sniff out a risk
Spuren von Korruption wittern
sniff out traces of corruption
Similar words
ahnen: Sense that something is true without clear evidence.
vermuten: Infer that something is likely from clues or information.
riechen: Detect a smell directly with the nose.
schnuppern: Take light sniffs to investigate or search for a scent.
Definition in German
anhand kleiner Spuren oder eines Geruchs einen Verdacht oder eine Ahnung entwickeln
Word origin
Wittern continues Middle High German wittern, originally meaning to perceive a smell, and its meaning extended to sensing something from faint signs.
Usage tips
- Wittern often takes an accusative object such as einen Betrug or Gefahr, while the English verb sniff out can sound more conclusive.