versehen mit
to provide with
To equip or furnish something or someone with something.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Modell ist mit zahlreichen Sicherheitsfunktionen versehen.
The new model is provided with numerous safety features.
versehen
to provide / to be mistaken
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Meanings
sich versehen
to be mistaken
To make a mistake, be mistaken, or unintentionally do something incorrectly.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, ich habe mich in der Hausnummer versehen.
Sorry, I was mistaken about the house number.
versehen
to perform
To carry out or perform a task, office, or duty. This use is formal and rather rare.
EXAMPLE
Der Beamte versieht seinen Dienst stets gewissenhaft.
The civil servant always performs his duties conscientiously.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Versehen' (to provide / to be mistaken) is an inseparable verb that comes from the stem 'sehen' (to see). The prefix 'ver-' here indicates either a mistake ('sich versehen' = to be mistaken) or the result of an action ('etwas mit etwas versehen' = to provide something with something).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mich beim Datum versehen, das Treffen ist erst morgen.
I was mistaken about the date; the meeting is not until tomorrow.
Fixed preposition
In the meaning 'ausstatten' (to equip), 'versehen' is always used with the preposition 'mit' and the dative. The structure is: something is provided with something (dative).
EXAMPLE
Alle Dokumente müssen mit einer Unterschrift versehen sein.
All documents must be provided with a signature.
Reflexive use
When 'versehen' is used reflexively ('sich versehen'), it always means 'to make a mistake' or 'to be mistaken'. It is often followed by a preposition such as 'in' or 'bei' to name the area of the mistake.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe mich in der Uhrzeit versehen und war eine Stunde zu früh da.
I was mistaken about the time and was there an hour too early.
Register: Formal
The meaning 'to perform a duty or hold an office' is very formal and is used mainly in official or administrative language. In normal everyday life, you almost never hear this use.
EXAMPLE
Der Richter versieht sein Amt seit über zwanzig Jahren.
The judge has held his office for over twenty years.
Compare with
FehleranbringenausstattenversorgenausübenIrrtumausrüstentäuschenbekleidenverrichtenbestückenvertunMissgeschickAusrutscher
versehen vs Fehler
mistake / error
A Fehler (mistake) is an incorrect action or decision without saying anything about the intention behind it. By contrast, someone who sich versieht does something wrong or is mistaken unintentionally. When the lack of intention is important, sich versehen is more precise.
versehen
Ich habe mich versehen und dem Kunden unbeabsichtigt die falsche Datei geschickt.
I made a mistake and unintentionally sent the customer the wrong file.
Fehler
Es war ein Fehler, dem Kunden die falsche Datei zu schicken.
It was a mistake to send the customer the wrong file.
In real life
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