TOPIC · Verbs (Verben)

Easily confused verbs in German

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After this lesson, learners will be able to distinguish between commonly confused verbs in German and use them correctly.

In this lesson, we will explore some commonly confused verbs in German. These verbs may have similar meanings but are used in different contexts. Understanding how to use them correctly is essential for effective communication in German. Let’s examine some of these pairs of verbs along with their meanings and examples.

1. warten vs. erwarten

Verb	Meaning	Example
warten	to wait	Ich warte auf den Bus. (I am waiting for the bus.)
erwarten	to expect	Ich erwarte ein Paket. (I am expecting a package.)

2. besuchen vs. besichtigen

Verb	Meaning	Example
besuchen	to visit (person)	Ich besuche meine Großeltern. (I visit my grandparents.)
besichtigen	to visit (place)	Wir besichtigen das Museum. (We are visiting the museum.)

3. hören vs. anhören

Verb	Meaning	Example
hören	to hear	Ich höre Musik. (I listen to music.)
anhören	to listen attentively	Ich höre mir das Lied an. (I listen to the song.)

4. machen vs. tun

Verb	Meaning	Example
machen	to make (in general)	Ich mache meine Hausaufgaben. (I do my homework.)
tun	to do (in phrases)	Ich weiß nicht, was ich tun soll. (I don’t know what to do.)

5. fragen vs. befragen

Verb	Meaning	Example
fragen	to ask	Ich frage ihn nach dem Weg. (I ask him for the way.)
befragen	to interview	Wir befragen die Teilnehmer. (We are interviewing the participants.)

6. wissen vs. kennen

Verb	Meaning	Example
wissen	to know (information)	Ich weiß die Antwort. (I know the answer.)
kennen	to know (acquainted)	Ich kenne sie gut. (I know her well.)

Conclusion

There are many verbs in German that may sound or look similar but have different meanings. It is important to understand these differences to avoid misunderstandings and improve communication. Through practice and application, you can enhance your skills in the German language.