fassen
Translation
to grasp, to hold, to understand, to believe
Examples
Er fasst meine Hand.
He grasps my hand.
Ich kann es nicht fassen.
I can't believe it.
Das Fass fasst 100 Liter.
The barrel holds 100 liters.
Fassen Sie sich kurz!
Be brief!
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) to grasp, understand sth. He grasps the ball.
sich kurz fassen to be brief Please be brief.
Similar Words
greifen (to grab), halten (to hold), verstehen (to understand)
Etymology
From Old High German 'fazzon', 'to put into a vessel'. Related to the noun 'das Fass' (the barrel/cask).
Memory Tips
Think of 'fassen' as both physically 'grasping' something and mentally 'grasping' a concept. The common phrase 'Ich kann es nicht fassen!' means 'I can't believe it!'