Translation of German word "verstehen" to English
verstehen
/fɛɐ̯ˈʃtɛən/
Meaning
VerbTo know the meaning of; to parse or have parsed correctly; to comprehend.
How to use
The strong verb verstehen ('to understand') has the non-separable prefix ver-. Conjugation: versteht, verstand, hat verstanden. The reflexive construction sich verstehen mit + dative means to get along well with someone (Ich verstehe mich gut mit ihm).
🇬🇧 English
to understand
Example
Sie versteht mich nicht, wenn ich schnell spreche.
She does not understand me when I speak quickly.
Können Sie wiederholen, was Sie gerade gesagt haben? Ich habe es nicht verstanden.
Can you repeat what you just said? I didn't understand it.
Your personal vocabulary
🦊 Use this word in a live AI conversationSynonyms
Common phrases
- Spaß verstehen— to take a joke / have a sense of humor
- falsch verstehen— to misunderstand
- sich gut verstehen— to get along well (reflexive)
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "verstehen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich bin/habe verstanden
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #212 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "verstehen"?▼
The German word "verstehen" is defined as: "To know the meaning of; to parse or have parsed correctly; to comprehend."
What does the German word "verstehen" mean?▼
The German word "verstehen" means "to understand" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "verstehen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "verstehen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "verstehen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ich verstehe nicht, was du meinst." (which translates as "She does not understand me when I speak quickly.").
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