in die Irre führen
to lead astray
To lead someone down the wrong path or mislead them so that they form a mistaken judgment.
EXAMPLE
Die ungenauen Angaben führten die Wanderer in die Irre.
The inaccurate information led the hikers astray.
die Irre
astray
die Irre
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Irre, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance (die)
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| genitive | der Irre |
The four cases (die)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Irre | – |
| accusative | die Irre | – |
| dative | der Irre | – |
| genitive | der Irre | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
At a glance (die)
| gender | feminine die |
|---|---|
| plural | die Irren |
| genitive | der Irren |
The four cases (die)
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | die Irre | die Irren |
| accusative | die Irre | die Irren |
| dative | der Irren | den Irren |
| genitive | der Irren | der Irren |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Two fixed expressions
The fixed expression 'in die Irre führen' (to lead astray) means to lead someone down the wrong path or mislead them. You can also use 'in die Irre gehen' (to go astray) when someone takes the wrong path or is mistaken.
EXAMPLE
Die schlecht ausgeschilderte Abzweigung führte uns in die Irre.
The poorly signposted turn led us astray.
Wer ohne Karte losgeht, kann leicht in die Irre gehen.
Anyone who sets off without a map can easily go astray.
Fixed expression
The pattern is 'jemanden in die Irre führen' (to lead someone astray), with the person affected in the accusative. Information, images, or other things can also be the subject, so the expression does not necessarily imply deliberate deception by a person.
EXAMPLE
Das veraltete Foto führte den Besucher in die Irre.
The outdated photo led the visitor astray.
In real life
Loading video examples...