Verb

verzichten

Translation

to do without, to renounce, to waive, to forgo

Ich verzichte auf den Nachtisch.

I'll do without dessert.

Er verzichtet freiwillig auf sein Recht.

He is voluntarily waiving his right.

Wir müssen auf Luxus verzichten.

We have to do without luxury.

((auf+4)) to do without sth., to renounce sth. He decided to renounce his claim.

Synonyms: aufgeben (to give up), entsagen (to renounce)

From the prefix 'ver-' + 'zichten' (an old word related to 'zeihen', to assign). The sense evolved to mean giving up an assignment or claim.

Think of 'verzichten auf' as a fixed phrase meaning 'to do without' something. Imagine you 'for-go' or 'for-sake' something.