01
verwehren
to deny
To not allow someone something or to deny access to something. It expresses an active rejection of a request or wish.
example
Der Türsteher verwehrte ihm den Eintritt in den Club.
The bouncer denied him entry to the club.
verwehren
to deny
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Meanings
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'verwehren' (to deny) is inseparable. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb 'wehren' in all sentence forms and here strengthens the idea of rejection or blocking.
EXAMPLE
Man kann einem Kind nicht jeden Wunsch verwehren.
You can't deny a child every wish.
Dative construction
This verb requires a fixed sentence structure: the person who is denied something is in the dative, and the thing that is denied is in the accusative. The pattern is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) verwehren.
EXAMPLE
Der Arzt verwehrte dem Patienten die ungesunde Mahlzeit.
The doctor denied the patient the unhealthy meal.
Typical collocations
'Verwehren' (to deny) is often used in formal contexts to block access or permission to something. Typical combinations are 'den Zutritt verwehren' (to deny entry), 'den Zugang verwehren' (to deny access), or 'eine Antwort verwehren' (to deny an answer).
EXAMPLE
Aus Sicherheitsgründen wurde den Journalisten der Zutritt zum Gelände verwehrt.
For security reasons, the journalists were denied entry to the premises.
Compare with
verwehren vs erlauben
to allow
'erlauben' and 'verwehren' are clear opposites when it comes to permission. With 'erlauben', someone gives approval for a person to do something. With 'verwehren', someone refuses this or prevents access to something. 'erlauben' sounds neutral and is common in everyday language. 'verwehren' sounds somewhat more formal and is especially fitting when someone is actively denied a wish, a right, or access.
verwehren
Der Sicherheitsdienst verwehrte den Besuchern den Zugang zum Gebäude.
Security denied the visitors access to the building.
erlauben
Die Eltern erlauben ihrem Sohn heute, bei einem Freund zu essen.
The parents are allowing their son to eat at a friend's house today.
In real life
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