wachen
Translation
to watch over, to guard, to be awake
Examples
Der Hund wacht die ganze Nacht.
The dog keeps watch all night.
Die Mutter wacht am Bett des kranken Kindes.
The mother watches over the sick child's bed.
Grammar Patterns
wachen ((über+4)) to watch over (sb./sth.) The mother watches over the sleeping child.
wachen to be awake, to keep watch He keeps watch all night at the sickbed.
Similar Words
aufpassen (to pay attention), hüten (to tend/guard); Antonyms: schlafen (to sleep), dösen (to doze)
Etymology
Cognate with English 'watch' and 'wake'. From Proto-Germanic *wakjaną.
Memory Tips
It sounds very similar to 'watch'. A security guard 'wacht' (watches) over the building.