01
verweigern
to refuse
To refuse to carry out a required or expected action.
example
Der Angeklagte verweigerte die Aussage vor Gericht.
The defendant refused to give testimony in court.
verweigern
to refuse
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verweigern' (to refuse) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er hat die Annahme des Pakets verweigert.
He refused to accept the package.
Dative and accusative object
This verb can have two objects. The person to whom something is refused is in the dative. The thing that is refused is in the accusative. The pattern is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) verweigern — to refuse someone something.
EXAMPLE
Der Türsteher verweigerte uns den Eintritt.
The bouncer refused us entry.
Typical collocations
When someone does not want to carry out an action, 'verweigern' is often combined with nouns that describe a duty or expected action: 'die Aussage verweigern' (to refuse to testify), 'die Mitarbeit verweigern' (to refuse to cooperate), 'den Befehl verweigern' (to refuse an order).
EXAMPLE
Der Zeuge darf die Aussage verweigern, um sich nicht selbst zu belasten.
The witness may refuse to testify in order not to incriminate himself.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich verweigern' means that someone consciously withdraws from a situation or expectation. It is often followed by a dative object indicating whom or what one is withdrawing from.
EXAMPLE
Er verweigert sich jeder Diskussion über seine Zukunft.
He refuses to engage in any discussion about his future.
Fixed expression
The expression 'den Kriegsdienst verweigern' (to refuse military service) is a fixed phrase. It describes the legal option of not participating in military service for reasons of conscience. A person who does this is a 'Kriegsdienstverweigerer' (conscientious objector).
EXAMPLE
In Deutschland kann man den Kriegsdienst verweigern und stattdessen einen Zivildienst leisten.
In Germany, one can refuse military service and perform civilian service instead.
Compare with
verweigern vs verbieten
to forbid
'verbieten' and 'verweigern' both have to do with something not happening or not being allowed. The important difference is: 'verbieten' comes from a rule, a law, or a person with authority. After that, you are not allowed to do something. 'verweigern' means that someone does not do or give something, even though it is expected or demanded. Learners may confuse the words because both sound negative. In practical terms: a teacher can ban phones; a student can refuse to answer.
verweigern
Der Kunde hat die Unterschrift verweigert, weil die Angaben falsch waren.
The customer refused to sign because the information was incorrect.
verbieten
Die Schule verbietet das Rauchen auf dem ganzen Gelände.
The school forbids smoking on the entire grounds.
In real life
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