weigern
Translation
to refuse
Examples
Er weigert sich, die Wahrheit zu sagen.
He refuses to tell the truth.
Sie weigerte sich, ihm zu helfen.
She refused to help him.
Grammar Patterns
sichAkk ((to do sth.)) to refuse to do sth. Er weigert sich, die Wahrheit zu sagen.
Similar Words
Synonyms: ablehnen, verweigern; Antonyms: zustimmen, akzeptieren
Etymology
Derived from Old High German 'weigarōn' (to resist), connected to 'wīgan' (to fight). It implies 'fighting against' a command or request.
Memory Tips
Imagine someone 'weighing' a request and then refusing it. Remember it's reflexive: 'sich weigern'.