01
verfehlen
to miss
To fail to hit a target one was aiming at.
example
Der Fußballspieler hat das leere Tor nur knapp verfehlt.
The soccer player only just missed the empty goal.
verfehlen
to miss
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 03
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'verfehlen' (to miss) is inseparable. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the stem 'fehlen' in all sentence forms and often indicates a negative result or failure.
EXAMPLE
Der Schütze hat das Ziel verfehlt.
The shooter missed the target.
Sentence structure with accusative
'Verfehlen' (to miss) is a transitive verb and always needs an accusative object. You ask: whom or what am I missing?
EXAMPLE
Der Stürmer verfehlte den Ball.
The striker missed the ball.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'not to hit', 'verfehlen' (to miss) is often combined with concrete targets. Typical objects are 'das Tor' (the goal), 'die Scheibe' (the target), or generally 'das Ziel' (the target/goal).
EXAMPLE
Der Pfeil verfehlte die Zielscheibe nur um wenige Zentimeter.
The arrow missed the target by only a few centimeters.
Context: time and place
When it is about time or transport, 'verfehlen' (to miss) means that one does not reach something in time. Common combinations are 'den Zug verfehlen' (to miss the train), 'den Bus verfehlen' (to miss the bus), or 'den Anschluss verfehlen' (to miss the connection).
EXAMPLE
Wenn wir uns nicht beeilen, verfehlen wir unseren Flug.
If we don't hurry, we'll miss our flight.
Abstract goals
In an abstract or figurative sense, 'verfehlen' (to miss) is used to express that a purpose or intention was not achieved. Typical phrases are 'sein Ziel verfehlen' (to miss one's goal), 'seinen Zweck verfehlen' (to fail to serve its purpose), or 'seine Wirkung verfehlen' (to fail to have its effect).
EXAMPLE
Der Witz hat seine Wirkung verfehlt und niemand hat gelacht.
The joke missed its effect, and no one laughed.
Compare with
verfehlen vs treffen
to meet / to hit
'treffen' and 'verfehlen' form a clear opposite when it comes to a target. 'treffen' means that a shot, throw, or strike lands exactly where it is supposed to. 'verfehlen' means that this target is not reached. Both words are used, for example, in sports, throwing, or shooting. Put simply: if you reach the target, you hit it. If you aim beside it or are not accurate enough, you miss it.
verfehlen
Der Pfeil verfehlt die Zielscheibe nur um wenige Zentimeter.
The arrow misses the target by only a few centimeters.
treffen
Beim Training trifft Max den Ball genau in die Ecke des Tors.
During training, Max hits the ball right into the corner of the goal.
In real life
Loading video examples...