01
werfen
to throw
To hurl something through the air with a quick movement of the hand or arm.
example
Kannst du den Ball über das Netz werfen?
Can you throw the ball over the net?
werfen
to throw
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Werfen' (to throw) is the base verb for many important separable verbs. These include, for example, 'wegwerfen' (to throw away), 'vorwerfen' (to accuse someone), and 'hineinwerfen' (to throw something into something else).
EXAMPLE
Bitte wirf die leere Flasche nicht einfach auf die Straße.
Please don't just throw the empty bottle onto the street.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'einen Blick auf etwas werfen' (to take a look at something) is very common and means to look at something briefly. The object being looked at comes after 'auf' in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Kannst du mal einen Blick auf meinen Text werfen und nach Fehlern suchen?
Can you take a look at my text and check for mistakes?
Context clue
In the meaning 'Junge zur Welt bringen' (to give birth to young), 'werfen' (to give birth) is used exclusively for animals. When you hear this expression, the context is always the animal world.
EXAMPLE
Die Hündin hat letzte Woche acht Welpen geworfen.
The dog gave birth to eight puppies last week.
Reflexive verb
As the reflexive verb 'sich werfen' (to throw oneself), it expresses a quick, often dramatic or emotional movement. The reflexive pronoun (mich, dich, sich, etc.) is obligatory here.
EXAMPLE
Die Kinder warfen sich lachend in den Schnee.
The children threw themselves into the snow, laughing.
Figurative meaning
The phrase 'Licht auf etwas werfen' (to shed light on something) is used figuratively. It means that new information makes a matter more understandable or clarifies it.
EXAMPLE
Der Zeuge konnte neues Licht auf den Fall werfen.
The witness was able to shed new light on the case.
Figurative meaning
'Einen Schatten werfen' (to cast a shadow) also has a figurative meaning. The phrase 'seine Schatten vorauswerfen' means that the negative signs or consequences of a future event can already be felt.
EXAMPLE
Die bevorstehende Wirtschaftskrise wirft bereits ihre Schatten voraus.
The impending economic crisis is already casting its shadow.
Compare with
werfen vs ansehen
to look at / to watch
'ansehen' and 'einen Blick auf etwas werfen' both have to do with looking. 'ansehen' is general and can take a short or a longer time. You direct your gaze at something or look at it deliberately. 'einen Blick werfen auf', on the other hand, means that you look at something only briefly and quickly. This is a fixed expression with 'werfen' and here has nothing to do with throwing an object. Learners may confuse the words because both express seeing. As a simple guide: 'ansehen' is neutral, while 'einen Blick werfen' is brief and often just for a quick check.
werfen
Vor dem Termin werfe ich noch schnell einen Blick auf meine Notizen.
Before the appointment, I'll quickly take another look at my notes.
ansehen
Wir sehen uns morgen die Fotos vom Familienfest an.
Tomorrow we'll look at the photos from the family celebration.
In real life
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