01
nerven
to annoy
To disturb, bother, or irritate someone through repeated or ongoing behavior.
example
Hör bitte auf, mit dem Stift zu klicken, das nervt.
Please stop clicking the pen; it's annoying.
nerven
to annoy
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
The verb 'nerven' (to annoy) is directly connected to the noun 'der Nerv' (nerve). When something is annoying, it figuratively affects the nerves.
EXAMPLE
Deine laute Musik geht mir auf die Nerven.
Your loud music is getting on my nerves.
Use with the accusative
When a person is directly annoyed, that person is in the accusative. But you can also use the verb without an object to express generally that a situation is annoying.
EXAMPLE
Die ständigen Fragen deines Bruders nerven mich.
Your brother's constant questions annoy me.
Fixed expression with dative
In the fixed expression 'jemandem auf die Nerven gehen' (to get on someone's nerves), the person who is annoyed is always in the dative. The structure cannot be changed.
EXAMPLE
Mit seinem unhöflichen Verhalten geht er allen auf die Nerven.
With his rude behavior, he gets on everyone's nerves.
Technical context
This meaning is used exclusively in medical or biological technical language. In everyday language, 'nerven' (to annoy) always describes the feeling of being bothered.
EXAMPLE
Der Trigeminusnerv nervt große Teile des Gesichts.
The trigeminal nerve innervates large parts of the face.
Compare with
nerven vs stören
to disturb / bother
'stören' and 'nerven' can both mean that something is unpleasant or irritates someone. 'stören' is more neutral and fits well when someone is interrupted while working, sleeping, or speaking. It can also simply mean that something does not fit or stands out in an unpleasant way. 'nerven' is more colloquial and more personal. It often says that something or someone is repeatedly annoying and you gradually react with irritation. In polite situations, 'stören' is usually better. Among friends, 'nerven' sounds very natural.
nerven
Frau Becker nervt es, wenn das Telefon im Büro ständig klingelt.
It annoys Ms. Becker when the phone in the office keeps ringing.
stören
Die laute Musik stört mich beim Lernen.
The loud music is disturbing me while I study.
In real life
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