01
wegkommen
to disappear
To get lost; to no longer be findable.
example
Mir ist schon wieder ein Handschuh weggekommen.
I've lost a glove again.
wegkommen
to disappear / get away
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Wegkommen' (to disappear / get away) is a separable verb. The prefix 'weg' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf, dass dein Schlüssel nicht wegkommt.
Be careful that your key doesn't disappear.
Auxiliary verb 'sein'
Since 'kommen' (to come) describes movement or a change of state, the perfect tense of 'wegkommen' is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein'.
EXAMPLE
Mein Portemonnaie ist gestern im Bus weggekommen.
My wallet disappeared on the bus yesterday.
Dative construction
When something gets lost, the person who loses it is in the dative. The lost thing is the subject of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Mir ist mein Lieblingsstift weggekommen.
My favorite pen has disappeared on me.
Context clue
In this meaning, the subject of the sentence is always a stain, dirt, or something unwanted that is supposed to be removed.
EXAMPLE
Der Kaffeefleck auf dem Hemd kommt einfach nicht weg.
The coffee stain on the shirt just won't come out.
Fixed expression
The meaning 'to come out of a situation' is almost always combined with an adverb such as 'gut' (well), 'schlecht' (badly), 'billig' (cheaply/lightly), or 'glimpflich' (lightly/without serious harm).
EXAMPLE
Der Autofahrer ist bei dem Unfall mit nur leichten Verletzungen glimpflich weggekommen.
The driver came out of the accident with only minor injuries.
Compare with
wegkommen vs verschwinden
to disappear
'verschwinden' and 'wegkommen' can both mean that something can no longer be found or that someone leaves a place. With things, 'wegkommen' is often used in everyday speech: a key or a note has gone missing. 'verschwinden' sounds a bit more general and can also emphasize a sudden or unexplained disappearance. With people, 'wegkommen' also means that someone can leave a place, for example work. The words can be confused because both have to do with being gone. For lost things, both are possible; for the ability to leave, only 'wegkommen' sounds natural.
wegkommen
Vor dem Termin ist der Gast nicht rechtzeitig von der Arbeit weggekommen.
Before the appointment, the guest couldn't get away from work in time.
verschwinden
Jans Geld ist in der Schule aus seiner Tasche verschwunden.
Jan's money disappeared from his bag at school.
In real life
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