01
wegwerfen
to throw away
To throw something that you no longer need or that is broken into the trash.
example
Diese alten Zeitungen kannst du wegwerfen.
You can throw away these old newspapers.
wegwerfen
to throw away
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Separable verb
'Wegwerfen' (to throw away) is a separable verb. The prefix 'weg' comes at the end in main clauses. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Er wirft die leere Flasche weg.
He throws the empty bottle away.
Word structure
The verb consists of the directional particle 'weg' (away, off) and the verb 'werfen' (to throw). The literal meaning is therefore 'to throw something away from oneself.'
EXAMPLE
Bitte wirf deinen Abfall in den Mülleimer und nicht einfach auf die Straße weg.
Please throw your trash into the garbage can and not just onto the street.
Literal vs. figurative
You can recognize whether the verb is meant literally (disposing of trash) or figuratively (wasting something) from the object. If it is waste, the meaning is literal. If it is something valuable like a chance, money, or talent, the meaning is figurative.
EXAMPLE
Wirf die alten Zeitungen bitte weg.
Please throw away the old newspapers.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'sich wegwerfen vor Lachen' (to die laughing) is a fixed reflexive construction. It means that someone is laughing extremely hard. The structure is always 'sich wegwerfen' followed by 'vor' and a noun in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Der Film war so komisch, ich habe mich weggeworfen vor Lachen.
The film was so funny, I died laughing.
Compare with
wegwerfen vs behalten
to keep
'behalten' and 'wegwerfen' are opposites when it comes to objects. 'behalten' means that you continue to own or keep something. 'wegwerfen' means that you put something in the trash because you no longer need it or because it is broken. 'behalten' fits when something is still important or useful. 'wegwerfen' fits when it no longer has any value to you.
wegwerfen
Nach dem Picknick wirft Paul die kaputte Flasche weg.
After the picnic, Paul throws the broken bottle away.
behalten
Frau Richter behält die Einkaufstasche, weil sie sie beim nächsten Mal wieder braucht.
Ms. Richter keeps the shopping bag because she will need it again next time.
In real life
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