to weigh up
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to weigh up
To carefully examine different possibilities, reasons, or interests and compare them with one another in order to make a decision.
Vor dem Kauf müssen wir die Vor- und Nachteile genau abwägen.
Before buying it, we need to weigh up the pros and cons carefully.
'Abwägen' (to weigh up) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Ich wäge die Risiken sorgfältig ab.
I weigh up the risks carefully.
The word comes from 'wägen', an old form of 'wiegen' (to weigh). So 'abwägen' (to weigh up) figuratively means to compare arguments or options as if on a scale in order to determine their 'weight'.
Man muss die Interessen aller Beteiligten gegeneinander abwägen.
You have to weigh up the interests of everyone involved against each other.
'Abwägen' (to weigh up) is very often used with pairs such as 'Vor- und Nachteile' (advantages and disadvantages), 'Chancen und Risiken' (opportunities and risks), or 'Pro und Kontra' (pros and cons). You can also weigh up individual things like 'Argumente' (arguments), 'Möglichkeiten' (possibilities), or 'Interessen' (interests).
Wir müssen die Chancen und Risiken des Projekts sorgfältig abwägen.
We need to weigh up the opportunities and risks of the project carefully.
to consider
'überlegen' and 'abwägen' both have to do with thinking before making a decision. 'überlegen' is more general: you think about a question, a plan, or a possibility. 'abwägen' is more specific when you compare several sides with one another, for example advantages and disadvantages or different interests. 'abwägen' often sounds more careful and somewhat more formal. In everyday life, you can often say 'überlegen'. When the comparison between several reasons is important, 'abwägen' fits better.
Vor dem Jobwechsel hat Maria die Chancen und Risiken sorgfältig abgewogen.
Before changing jobs, Maria carefully weighed up the opportunities and risks.
Du solltest noch einmal überlegen, ob du das teure Fahrrad wirklich kaufen willst.
You should think again about whether you really want to buy the expensive bike.