to give way / soak
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to give way
To move aside or back in order to make room or avoid an obstacle. (Strong verb: wich, ist gewichen)
Alle mussten zur Seite weichen, als der Krankenwagen mit Blaulicht kam.
Everyone had to give way when the ambulance came with its blue lights flashing.
to give way
In a figurative sense, to yield, cease to exist, or lose intensity because something else becomes stronger. (Strong verb: wich, ist gewichen)
Nach dem Gespräch wich seine Wut langsam einer tiefen Enttäuschung.
After the conversation, his anger slowly gave way to deep disappointment.
not leave someone's side
In a fixed expression: to stay constantly with someone in order to support or accompany them.
Während seiner schweren Krankheit ist ihm seine Frau nicht von der Seite gewichen.
During his serious illness, his wife did not leave his side.
to soak
To become soft or be made soft through the effect of liquid. (Weak verb: weichte, hat/ist geweicht)
Man muss die getrockneten Erbsen über Nacht in Wasser weichen lassen.
You have to let the dried peas soak in water overnight.
This verb has two conjugations. The meanings 'Platz machen' (to make room / give way) and 'nachlassen' (to subside / give way) are strong verbs (wich, ist gewichen). The meaning 'weich machen' (to soften) is a weak verb (weichte, hat geweicht).
Die Angst wich langsam der Erleichterung.
The fear slowly gave way to relief.
In the meaning 'Platz machen' (to make room / give way), the thing or person one gives way to is often in the dative. The auxiliary verb for forming the perfect tense is 'sein' (to be), because it describes movement or a change of location.
Der Fußgänger musste dem Fahrradfahrer weichen.
The pedestrian had to give way to the cyclist.
When the strong verb 'weichen' (to give way) is used with abstract nouns such as 'Angst' (fear), 'Zweifel' (doubt), 'Farbe' (color), or 'Spannung' (tension), the figurative meaning 'nachlassen' (to subside) or 'verschwinden' (to disappear) is meant.
Nach dem Streit wich die Anspannung einer peinlichen Stille.
After the argument, the tension gave way to an awkward silence.
The idiom 'jemandem nicht von der Seite weichen' means to always stay with someone and support them. The person one stays with is in the dative.
In der schweren Zeit ist er seiner Familie nicht von der Seite gewichen.
During the difficult time, he did not leave his family's side.
The weak form 'weichen' (weichte, hat geweicht) is directly related to the adjective 'weich' (soft). It literally means to make something soft or let it become soft, usually through liquid.
Man sollte die Bohnen über Nacht in Wasser weichen lassen.
You should let the beans soak in water overnight.
to disappear
Both words can say that something is no longer present or is losing strength. Verschwinden mainly describes an ending or dissolution, while weichen emphasizes that something is displaced by another, stronger force. If this contrast is not intended, verschwinden is usually the better choice.
Nach dem Gespräch wich ihre Angst langsam der Zuversicht.
After the conversation, her fear slowly gave way to confidence.
Nach dem Gespräch verschwand ihre Angst langsam.
After the conversation, her fear slowly disappeared.
