weise
wise
Having good judgment based on extensive experience and deep insight.
EXAMPLE
Die weise Frau wusste, wann sie schweigen und wann sie sprechen musste.
The wise woman knew when to remain silent and when to speak.
weise
wise
weise – weiser – am weisesten
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Meanings
weise
wise
Sensible and prudent in one's actions or decisions.
EXAMPLE
Es war weise, vor der Reise noch einmal die Wettervorhersage zu prüfen.
It was wise to check the weather forecast once more before the trip.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry weise, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | weise |
|---|---|
| comparative | weiser |
| superlative | am weisesten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | - | - | - | -n |
| acc. | -n | - | - | -n |
| dat. | -n | -n | -n | -n |
| gen. | -n | -n | -n | -n |
Add the ending to weise.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -r | - | -s | -n |
| acc. | -n | - | -s | -n |
| dat. | -n | -n | -n | -n |
| gen. | -n | -n | -n | -n |
Add the ending to weise.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -r | - | -s | - |
| acc. | -n | - | -s | - |
| dat. | -m | -r | -m | -n |
| gen. | -n | -r | -n | -r |
Add the ending to weise.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
Common combinations are 'ein weiser Rat' (a piece of wise advice) and 'weise Worte' (wise words). These acknowledge the deep insight behind a statement.
EXAMPLE
Erst Jahre später verstand ich den weisen Rat meiner Großmutter.
Only years later did I understand my grandmother's wise advice.
Typical collocations
'weise' (wise) is often used to assess decisions. Typical expressions are 'eine weise Entscheidung treffen' (to make a wise decision) and 'ein weiser Entschluss' (a wise decision). The adjective expresses a positive judgment.
EXAMPLE
Mit dem Kauf der kleineren Wohnung haben wir eine weise Entscheidung getroffen.
We made a wise decision by buying the smaller apartment.
Assessing actions
You can use the pattern 'Es ist weise, … zu …' (It is wise to …) to assess an action. If you want to name the person performing the action, use 'von' (of) with the dative.
EXAMPLE
Es ist weise, für unerwartete Ausgaben etwas Geld zurückzulegen.
It is wise to set aside some money for unexpected expenses.
Es war weise von dir, dich aus dem Streit herauszuhalten.
It was wise of you to stay out of the argument.
In real life
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