werfen
Meaning and Usage
"Werfen" is a German verb that translates to "to throw" or "to toss" in English. It is used to describe the action of propelling an object through the air with a forceful motion.
Linguistic Analysis
"Werfen" is an irregular strong verb in German, which means it undergoes stem-vowel changes in its conjugation. It has the stem "wirf-" and endings change according to the tense and subject. The word has no prefix or suffix. The etymology of "werfen" can be traced back to the Old High German word "werfan."
Comparisons between German and English
The word "werfen" in German is similar in meaning to the English word "to throw." Both words indicate the action of propelling an object through the air.
Cultural Context
"Werfen" is a common verb used in various contexts, from sports (e.g., throwing a ball) to everyday activities (e.g., throwing something into the trash). It is an essential word in German vocabulary for describing physical actions.
Example Sentences
- Wirf den Ball zu mir! (Throw the ball to me!)
- Er warf den Stein in den Teich. (He threw the stone into the pond.)
- Sie wirft die Flasche in den Müll. (She tosses the bottle into the trash.)
Memory Tips
Associate "werfen" with the English word "hurl" or "fling" to remember its meaning more easily. Practice using the word in different contexts to reinforce its usage.
Additional Vocabulary
- Synonyms: schleudern (to hurl), katapultieren (to catapult)
- Antonyms: auffangen (to catch), behalten (to keep)
Gender and Plural (for nouns)
"Werfen" is a verb and doesn't have a gender or plural form.
Conjugation (for verbs)
- Ich werfe (I throw)
- Du wirfst (You throw)
- Er/sie/es wirft (He/she/it throws)
- Wir werfen (We throw)
- Ihr werft (You throw)
- Sie werfen (They throw)