das Versehen
oversight
An unintentional mistake that happens because you fail to notice something or do not think of it.
EXAMPLE
Es war ein Versehen, dass ich die falsche Datei geschickt habe.
It was an oversight that I sent the wrong file.
das Versehen
oversight / mistake
das Versehen, die Versehen
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Meanings
aus Versehen
by accident
Unintentionally or accidentally; without meaning to.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe aus Versehen deine Tasse umgestoßen.
I accidentally knocked over your cup.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Versehen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Versehen |
| genitive | des Versehens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Versehen | die Versehen |
| accusative | das Versehen | die Versehen |
| dative | dem Versehen | den Versehen |
| genitive | des Versehens | der Versehen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Two uses
'Das Versehen' (the oversight) is a noun and refers to the mistake itself. In the fixed expression 'aus Versehen' (by accident), it is used as an adverbial phrase and describes something happening unintentionally.
EXAMPLE
Das Versehen fiel ihr erst am nächsten Morgen auf.
She did not notice the oversight until the next morning.
Er hat die Nachricht aus Versehen an die falsche Person geschickt.
He sent the message to the wrong person by accident.
Typical collocations
'Versehen' (oversight) commonly occurs with verbs such as 'unterlaufen' (to make), 'bemerken' (to notice), and 'entdecken' (to discover). The pattern 'jemandem unterläuft ein Versehen' (someone makes an oversight) is particularly common.
EXAMPLE
Dem erfahrenen Techniker unterlief ein kleines Versehen.
The experienced technician made a minor oversight.
Sie bemerkte das Versehen sofort und korrigierte die Rechnung.
She noticed the oversight immediately and corrected the invoice.
Fixed expression
'Aus Versehen' (by accident) is usually used with an action that was not intended. The phrase can appear at the beginning of the sentence or in the middle field and refers to the sentence's verb.
EXAMPLE
Aus Versehen löschte er den wichtigen Ordner.
He accidentally deleted the important folder.
Mia hat aus Versehen die Tür offen gelassen.
Mia accidentally left the door open.
In real life
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