sich weigern
Translation
to refuse, to decline
Examples
Er weigerte sich, die Wahrheit zu sagen.
He refused to tell the truth.
Sie weigert sich, Hilfe anzunehmen.
She refuses to accept help.
Grammar Patterns
sich weigern, ((to do sth.)) to refuse to do sth. Er weigerte sich zu helfen.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ablehnen (to reject), verweigern (to deny); Antonyms: zustimmen (to agree), annehmen (to accept)
Etymology
From Old High German 'wigarōn' (to struggle against). The reflexive pronoun 'sich' indicates that the subject is refusing for themselves.
Memory Tips
Remember that it's a reflexive verb ('sich'). You are setting *yourself* against something. Think of 'weighing' the options and refusing.