versprechen
Translation
to promise, to misspeak
Examples
Ich verspreche dir meine Hilfe.
I promise you my help.
Er hat sich bei der Rede versprochen.
He misspoke during the speech.
Das Wetter verspricht einen schönen Tag.
The weather promises a beautiful day.
Grammar Patterns
((sb.dat)) ((sth.acc)) to promise sb. sth. I promise you my help.
sich ((versprechen)) to misspeak He misspoke during the speech.
Similar Words
Synonyms: to assure, to pledge; Antonyms: to break a promise
Etymology
From 'ver-' prefix + 'sprechen' (to speak). Literally 'to speak for' something, hence to promise. Reflexively, 'sich versprechen' means 'to speak wrongly'.
Memory Tips
You 'sprechen' (speak) to make a promise. The 'ver-' prefix can also mean 'wrongly', so 'sich versprechen' is 'to misspeak'.