versäumen
Translation
to miss, to neglect, to fail to do
Examples
Ich habe den Zug versäumt.
I missed the train.
Er hat es versäumt, anzurufen.
He failed to call.
Sie versäumt oft den Unterricht.
She often misses class.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to miss sth. She missed the bus.
((to do sth.)) to fail/neglect to do sth. He failed to send the letter.
Similar Words
Synonyms: verpassen, unterlassen; Antonyms: wahrnehmen (to seize), erledigen (to handle)
Etymology
Comes from 'ver-' (prefix for failure/error) and 'säumen' (to delay, tarry). The idea is to fail by delaying.
Memory Tips
Think of 'säumen' as 'dawdling'. If you dawdle, you will 'ver-' (mess up and) miss things.