verhindern en 30 secondes
- Core meaning: To actively prevent or stop an event from happening.
- Grammar: Transitive verb, non-separable 'ver-' prefix, takes accusative case.
- Key Usage: Safety, law, sports, and formal excuses for absence ('verhindert sein').
- Comparison: Stronger than 'avoid' (vermeiden); focuses on the event, not the person.
The German verb verhindern is a powerhouse of the German language, primarily used when an active intervention occurs to stop an event, a process, or an action from ever taking place. At its core, it translates to 'to prevent' or 'to thwart.' Unlike its cousin 'vermeiden' (to avoid), which often implies a passive steering away from something, verhindern suggests a decisive barrier or an active force that makes the occurrence of an event impossible. When you use this word, you are describing a situation where a potential reality was cut off before it could manifest. This is why you will hear it constantly in news reports regarding crime prevention, accident reports, and political discourse where one party tries to stop a law from being passed.
- Active Intervention
- This verb is used when someone or something actively stops an event. For example, a goalkeeper prevents a goal, or a security system prevents a break-in.
- The Resultative Prefix 'ver-'
- The prefix 'ver-' often indicates a completed action or a transformation. In this context, it takes the root 'hindern' (to hinder or slow down) and turns it into a definitive result: the total prevention of the act.
In everyday life, Germans use verhindern to discuss logistical failures or intentional blocks. If a heavy snowfall prevents a train from departing, that is a classic use of the word. If a person is 'verhindert' (the past participle used as an adjective), it means they are 'otherwise engaged' or 'prevented from coming' due to unforeseen circumstances. This is a very polite way to say you cannot make it to a meeting without going into too much detail about why. It suggests that an external force or a prior commitment is acting as the barrier.
Die schnellen Reflexe des Torwarts konnten ein Gegentor verhindern.
Furthermore, the word carries a certain weight of responsibility. In legal contexts, 'Unterlassene Hilfeleistung' (failure to provide assistance) often involves the question of whether a person could have 'prevented' (verhindern) a greater harm. Thus, the word is deeply tied to the concept of agency and the power to change the course of future events. Whether it is a doctor preventing a disease through vaccination or a diplomat preventing a war through negotiation, verhindern is the verb of the proactive protector.
Wir müssen alles tun, um eine Klimakatastrophe zu verhindern.
Using verhindern correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical structure. It is a transitive verb, meaning it almost always takes a direct object in the accusative case. The most common structure is: [Subject] + [verhindern] + [Accusative Object]. For instance, 'Ich verhindere den Unfall' (I prevent the accident). Here, 'den Unfall' is the thing being stopped. It is important to remember that the object is the event that is NOT happening because of your actions.
- The 'Dass' Clause
- Often, what you are preventing is an entire situation. In this case, German uses a 'dass' (that) clause. Example: 'Die Polizei verhinderte, dass die Demonstranten das Gebäude betraten.' (The police prevented the protesters from entering the building.)
- Verhindern vs. Hindern an
- Be careful not to confuse this with 'jemanden an etwas [Dativ] hindern'. While 'verhindern' focuses on the event, 'hindern' focuses on the person being obstructed. 'Ich hindere ihn am Gehen' (I hinder him from leaving) vs. 'Ich verhindere sein Gehen' (I prevent his departure).
In the past tense, verhindern follows the regular (weak) conjugation pattern: 'verhinderte' (simple past) and 'hat verhindert' (present perfect). Because it is a non-separable verb (due to the 'ver-' prefix), the 'ge-' does not appear in the past participle. You would say 'Ich habe es verhindert' and never 'Ich habe geverhindert.' This is a common mistake for English speakers who are used to the 'ge-' prefix on most German past participles.
Ein technischer Defekt verhinderte den Start der Rakete.
Another elegant way to use this verb is in the passive voice, especially in formal writing or journalism. 'Der Diebstahl konnte in letzter Sekunde verhindert werden' (The theft could be prevented at the last second). This shifts the focus from who stopped the crime to the fact that the crime was successfully stopped. In business German, you might encounter the phrase 'Ich bin leider verhindert,' which is a standard, formal way of saying 'I am unable to attend' without needing to explain that your car broke down or you have a cold. It implies an insurmountable obstacle has arisen.
If you turn on the German news program Tagesschau, you will likely hear verhindern within the first five minutes. It is the vocabulary of governance and public safety. Politicians use it to describe their efforts to 'prevent' unemployment, 'prevent' inflation, or 'prevent' the radicalization of youth. In these contexts, the word carries an air of authority and systemic control. It is not just about stopping a small thing; it is about steering the ship of state away from iceberg-sized disasters.
Die Regierung möchte eine weitere Eskalation im Konflikt verhindern.
In the world of sports, especially football (soccer), commentators use verhindern to describe defensive masterclasses. A defender might 'verhindern' a cross, or a goalkeeper might 'verhindern' a certain goal. Here, the word is associated with tension and relief. When a commentator shouts, 'Das hat er glänzend verhindert!', they are praising the player's anticipation and physical intervention. It implies that the goal was almost a certainty until that specific moment of prevention.
- In the Office
- 'Frau Schmidt ist heute leider verhindert.' This is the standard phrase your colleague will use when you ask why the project manager isn't at the meeting. It is professional, vague, and absolute.
- In Science and Medicine
- Medical journals discuss how certain drugs 'verhindern' the growth of tumors or how hygiene 'verhindert' the spread of bacteria. It is the language of causality and scientific prevention.
You will also encounter it in historical discussions. Historians often debate whether certain events could have been 'verhindert.' Could World War II have been prevented? Could the fall of the Berlin Wall have been prevented? In this context, the word is used to analyze the 'Was-wäre-wenn' (what if) scenarios of human history. It invites the listener to consider the points of failure where an intervention might have changed the world. Therefore, the word is not just a verb; it is a conceptual tool for analyzing fate and human agency.
One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when learning German is confusing verhindern with vermeiden. While both can be translated as 'to prevent' in certain English contexts, they are not interchangeable in German. Vermeiden is 'to avoid'—think of it as taking a path that doesn't cross with the problem. You 'avoid' eye contact or 'avoid' fatty foods. Verhindern, however, is stopping the problem from existing for everyone. You don't 'avoid' an accident (unless you just steer away); you 'prevent' an accident by fixing the brakes.
- The 'Ge-' Trap
- As mentioned before, saying 'ich habe geverhindert' is a major red flag. Because 'ver-' is an inseparable prefix, the past participle is simply 'verhindert'. Remember: 'be-, ge-, er-, ver-, zer-, ent-, emp-, miss-' prefixes never take an additional 'ge-'.
- Confusing with 'Behindern'
- 'Behindern' means to handicap, obstruct, or get in the way of something that is already happening. If you stand in the doorway, you 'behindern' the traffic. If you lock the door so no one can ever enter, you 'verhindern' the entry.
Another mistake is the prepositional usage. English speakers want to say 'prevent from' (verhindern von). In German, you prevent the thing directly (Accusative). If you must use a preposition to describe what someone is being stopped from doing, you use 'an' + Dative, but usually with the verb hindern (e.g., 'Er hinderte mich am Sprechen'). With verhindern, it is much more common to use a 'dass' clause: 'Er verhinderte, dass ich sprach.'
Falsch: Ich vermeide den Unfall (I avoid the accident - maybe by driving away).
Richtig: Ich verhindere den Unfall (I prevent the accident - by braking).
Finally, watch out for the adjective 'behindert.' In modern German, 'behindert' is the standard word for 'disabled' or 'handicapped.' While it comes from the same root (hindern), using it incorrectly in the context of 'preventing' can lead to very awkward or offensive misunderstandings. Stick to 'verhindert' for 'prevented/unavailable' and 'verhindern' for the action of stopping something. Mixing these up is a common B1-level hurdle that requires conscious practice to overcome.
German is famous for having very specific verbs for slightly different types of 'stopping.' If verhindern is the general term for prevention, its synonyms offer more flavor. Unterbinden is a stronger, more authoritative version, often used by police or bosses to mean 'to put a stop to' something that is already starting to happen (like a rumor or a rebellion). Vereiteln is used specifically when someone's plan or plot is foiled. You 'vereiteln' an assassination attempt or a bank robbery.
- Verhindern vs. Vorbeugen
- 'Vorbeugen' means to take precautionary measures (to 'bend before'). It is the German word for 'to prevent' in a medical or safety sense, like 'prophylaxis.' You 'beugen' a cold 'vor' by taking vitamins.
- Verhindern vs. Stoppen
- 'Stoppen' is more physical and immediate. You stop a car that is moving. 'Verhindern' is more conceptual; you prevent the car from ever starting its journey.
In more formal or literary contexts, you might see unterfangen or hemmen. 'Hemmen' means to inhibit or slow down, often used in biology (growth inhibition) or psychology (inhibitions). 'Abwenden' is another great alternative, meaning 'to avert.' You 'abwenden' a disaster (eine Katastrophe abwenden). This implies the disaster was heading straight for you, and you managed to turn it away at the last moment.
Die Polizei konnte den geplanten Anschlag vereiteln.
Choosing the right word depends on the 'flavor' of the prevention. If you are stopping a process because it is illegal, use unterbinden. If you are stopping a plan from succeeding, use vereiteln. If you are being proactive about health, use vorbeugen. But if you are in doubt, verhindern is the safe, all-purpose choice that works in almost every scenario where 'prevent' is the English equivalent. It is the 'Swiss Army Knife' of the German vocabulary of obstruction.
How Formal Is It?
Le savais-tu ?
The 'ver-' prefix changes the meaning from 'slowing someone down' (hindern) to 'stopping the event entirely' (verhindern).
Guide de prononciation
- Pronouncing 'v' like an English 'v' (it should be 'f').
- Stressing the first syllable 'ver' (never stress 'ver-').
- Adding a 'ge-' in the past participle (it is 'hat verhindert', not 'hat geverhindert').
Niveau de difficulté
Common in newspapers, easy to recognize due to English 'hinder'.
Requires correct case (accusative) and 'dass' clause knowledge.
The 'ver-' prefix and pronunciation of 'v' as 'f' take practice.
Clear pronunciation, but can be confused with 'behindern'.
Quoi apprendre ensuite
Prérequis
Apprends ensuite
Avancé
Grammaire à connaître
Inseparable Prefixes
Ver- is always inseparable. 'Ich verhindere', not 'Ich hindere ver'.
No 'ge-' in Participle
The past participle is 'verhindert'. 'Er hat es verhindert.'
Accusative Object
Verhindern requires a direct object: 'Er verhindert den [Akk] Plan.'
Dass-Clauses
Used to describe a situation: 'Ich verhindere, dass er geht.'
Passive Voice with Modal
Common in news: 'Es konnte verhindert werden.'
Exemples par niveau
Ich will den Streit verhindern.
I want to prevent the argument.
Simple Subject-Verb-Object structure.
Das Schloss verhindert den Diebstahl.
The lock prevents the theft.
Direct object 'den Diebstahl' is in accusative.
Regen verhindert das Picknick.
Rain prevents the picnic.
Present tense usage.
Kannst du das verhindern?
Can you prevent that?
Question form with modal verb 'können'.
Er konnte es nicht verhindern.
He could not prevent it.
Past tense with modal verb.
Wir verhindern Fehler.
We prevent mistakes.
Plural subject.
Die Mauer verhindert den Weg.
The wall prevents the way (passage).
Accusative 'den Weg'.
Ein Zaun verhindert den Zutritt.
A fence prevents access.
Accusative 'den Zutritt'.
Ich bin heute leider verhindert.
I am unfortunately prevented (unavailable) today.
Common polite excuse.
Gute Planung verhindert Stress.
Good planning prevents stress.
Abstract noun as object.
Die Polizei verhinderte den Einbruch.
The police prevented the break-in.
Simple past 'verhinderte'.
Ein Helm kann Verletzungen verhindern.
A helmet can prevent injuries.
Modal verb 'kann'.
Warum hast du das nicht verhindert?
Why didn't you prevent that?
Perfect tense 'hast verhindert'.
Diese Regel verhindert Chaos.
This rule prevents chaos.
Subject is 'Diese Regel'.
Wir wollen Unfälle verhindern.
We want to prevent accidents.
Accusative plural 'Unfälle'.
Die Tablette verhindert die Schmerzen.
The pill prevents the pain.
Medical context.
Wir müssen verhindern, dass das Feuer sich ausbreitet.
We must prevent the fire from spreading.
Usage of 'dass' clause.
Die Sicherheitsgurte haben Schlimmeres verhindert.
The seatbelts prevented something worse.
Comparative 'Schlimmeres' as object.
Er wurde an der Flucht verhindert.
He was prevented from escaping.
Passive voice construction.
Neue Gesetze sollen Korruption verhindern.
New laws are supposed to prevent corruption.
Modal verb 'sollen'.
Man kann Krankheiten durch Hygiene verhindern.
One can prevent diseases through hygiene.
Prepositional phrase 'durch Hygiene'.
Das schlechte Wetter verhinderte unsere Abreise.
The bad weather prevented our departure.
Possessive 'unsere Abreise'.
Sie versuchte, den Streit zu verhindern.
She tried to prevent the argument.
Infinitive with 'zu'.
Die Impfung verhindert eine Infektion.
The vaccination prevents an infection.
Medical context.
Präventive Maßnahmen können eine Krise verhindern.
Preventive measures can prevent a crisis.
Adjective 'Präventive'.
Die Opposition will das neue Gesetz verhindern.
The opposition wants to prevent the new law.
Political context.
Ein Eingreifen der Banken verhinderte den Bankrott.
An intervention by the banks prevented the bankruptcy.
Genitive 'der Banken'.
Niemand konnte den tragischen Vorfall verhindern.
No one could prevent the tragic incident.
Pronoun 'Niemand'.
Die Firma versucht, Datenverlust zu verhindern.
The company is trying to prevent data loss.
Compound noun 'Datenverlust'.
Es ist wichtig, die Ausbreitung des Virus zu verhindern.
It is important to prevent the spread of the virus.
Infinitive construction.
Wir müssen verhindern, dass wertvolle Informationen verloren gehen.
We must prevent valuable information from getting lost.
Complex 'dass' clause.
Der Streik konnte in letzter Minute verhindert werden.
The strike could be prevented at the last minute.
Passive with modal verb.
Die diplomatischen Bemühungen verhinderte einen bewaffneten Konflikt.
The diplomatic efforts prevented an armed conflict.
Formal vocabulary 'diplomatische Bemühungen'.
Es gilt, eine soziale Spaltung der Gesellschaft zu verhindern.
It is necessary to prevent a social split in society.
Formal phrase 'Es gilt... zu'.
Durch rechtzeitiges Handeln wurde Schlimmeres verhindert.
By acting in time, worse was prevented.
Passive voice with 'wurde'.
Die Architektur des Gebäudes soll Hitzestau verhindern.
The building's architecture is intended to prevent heat accumulation.
Technical context.
Man wollte verhindern, dass die Nachricht an die Öffentlichkeit gelangt.
They wanted to prevent the news from reaching the public.
Verb 'gelangen' in 'dass' clause.
Strenge Kontrollen verhindern den Schmuggel von Waren.
Strict controls prevent the smuggling of goods.
Noun 'Schmuggel'.
Die Therapie verhinderte eine weitere Verschlechterung seines Zustands.
The therapy prevented a further worsening of his condition.
Medical precision.
Es ist schwer zu verhindern, dass Vorurteile entstehen.
It is hard to prevent prejudices from arising.
Psychological context.
Die Intervention der Zentralbank verhinderte eine systemische Kernschmelze des Marktes.
The central bank's intervention prevented a systemic meltdown of the market.
High-level financial terminology.
Es ist eine ethische Pflicht, Leid nach Kräften zu verhindern.
It is an ethical duty to prevent suffering to the best of one's ability.
Philosophical tone.
Die Komplexität des Systems verhindert eine einfache Lösung.
The complexity of the system prevents a simple solution.
Abstract subject/object.
Man kann die Evolution nicht verhindern, nur ihre Richtung beeinflussen.
One cannot prevent evolution, only influence its direction.
Scientific/Philosophical statement.
Die verhinderte Revolution hinterließ ein tiefes Trauma im Volk.
The prevented revolution left a deep trauma in the people.
Adjectival use of past participle.
Er sah sich als verhinderten Visionär, dem die Mittel fehlten.
He saw himself as a thwarted visionary who lacked the means.
Nuanced adjectival use.
Die Bürokratie verhindert oft die effiziente Umsetzung von Reformen.
Bureaucracy often prevents the efficient implementation of reforms.
Institutional critique.
Nichts konnte die unaufhaltsame Logik der Ereignisse verhindern.
Nothing could prevent the unstoppable logic of events.
Literary/Dramatic tone.
Collocations courantes
Phrases Courantes
— A formal way to say you cannot attend an appointment.
Ich bin heute leider verhindert und kann nicht zum Meeting kommen.
— Used when something is inevitable.
Das Altern lässt sich nicht verhindern.
— To stop a situation from becoming even worse.
Die Feuerwehr konnte Schlimmeres verhindern.
— To stop something at the very beginning (in the bud).
Man muss schlechte Gewohnheiten im Keim verhindern.
— To block progress or development.
Alte Denkweisen verhindern oft den Fortschritt.
— To stop a scandal from becoming public.
Der Pressesprecher versuchte, den Skandal zu verhindern.
— To block a breakthrough in negotiations or science.
Mangelnde Finanzen verhinderten den Durchbruch.
— To stop success from happening.
Sabotage verhinderte den Erfolg des Projekts.
— To prevent a situation from spiraling out of control.
Deeskalationstraining hilft, eine Eskalation zu verhindern.
Souvent confondu avec
Vermeiden means to avoid/evade. Verhindern means to stop/prevent the event from existing.
Behindern means to obstruct someone who is already doing something. Verhindern is stopping the thing from starting.
Hindern focuses on the person being stopped; Verhindern focuses on the event being stopped.
Expressions idiomatiques
— To nip something in the bud (very similar to 'im Keim verhindern').
Die Revolte wurde im Keim erstickt.
figurative— To put a stop to something, literally to slide a bolt across.
Dem Missbrauch muss ein Riegel vorgeschoben werden.
idiomatic— To put obstacles in someone's way (to hinder them).
Die Bürokratie legt uns ständig Steine in den Weg.
informal— To take the wind out of someone's sails (to prevent their momentum).
Mit Fakten nahm er dem Gegner den Wind aus den Segeln.
figurative— To thwart someone's plans.
Das Wetter machte uns einen Strich durch die Rechnung.
common— To put someone in their place (preventing their overstepping).
Er wurde vom Chef in die Schranken gewiesen.
formal— To stop someone's (usually criminal) activities.
Die Polizei legte dem Betrüger das Handwerk.
idiomatic— To undermine someone (literally to drain the water).
Die Konkurrenz versucht, uns das Wasser abzugraben.
figurative— To encounter insurmountable resistance.
Bei diesem Thema beißt man bei ihm auf Granit.
informalFacile à confondre
Both translate to 'prevent' in English sometimes.
Vermeiden is passive (staying away); Verhindern is active (stopping it).
Ich vermeide Zucker. vs. Die Polizei verhinderte den Zucker-Schmuggel.
They sound very similar.
Behindern is to disturb or handicap; Verhindern is to preclude.
Das Auto behindert den Verkehr. vs. Die Sperre verhindert den Verkehr.
Both involve stopping something.
Unterbrechen is a pause/interruption; Verhindern is stopping it before it happens or for good.
Er unterbrach das Gespräch. vs. Er verhinderte das Gespräch.
General meaning of 'stop'.
Stoppen is usually for movement; Verhindern is for events or abstract concepts.
Stopp das Auto! vs. Verhindere den Unfall!
Both stop progress.
Blockieren is a physical or static obstruction; Verhindern is the result of any action.
Der Baum blockiert die Straße. vs. Der Baum verhinderte die Durchfahrt.
Structures de phrases
Ich verhindere [Objekt].
Ich verhindere den Streit.
[Subjekt] kann [Objekt] verhindern.
Ein Helm kann Verletzungen verhindern.
[Subjekt] verhindert, dass [Nebensatz].
Wir verhindern, dass es regnet.
Ich bin [Zeit] verhindert.
Ich bin morgen verhindert.
[Objekt] konnte verhindert werden.
Der Unfall konnte verhindert werden.
Es gilt, [Objekt] zu verhindern.
Es gilt, die Inflation zu verhindern.
Durch [Akk] wurde [Objekt] verhindert.
Durch Hilfe wurde der Tod verhindert.
Die [Nomen] verhinderte [Abstraktes Objekt].
Die Bürokratie verhinderte die Innovation.
Famille de mots
Noms
Verbes
Adjectifs
Apparenté
Comment l'utiliser
High (Top 1000 words in German)
-
Ich habe geverhindert.
→
Ich habe verhindert.
Inseparable prefixes like 'ver-' do not take 'ge-' in the past participle.
-
Ich verhindere dir zu gehen.
→
Ich verhindere, dass du gehst.
Verhindern usually takes a 'dass' clause, not an infinitive with a dative person.
-
Ich vermeide den Unfall.
→
Ich verhindere den Unfall.
Use 'verhindern' for stopping an event like an accident. 'Vermeiden' is for avoiding a situation.
-
Ich bin behindert.
→
Ich bin verhindert.
'Behindert' means disabled. 'Verhindert' means you are unavailable for an appointment.
-
Verhindern von dem Feuer.
→
Das Feuer verhindern.
Verhindern takes a direct accusative object. Don't use 'von'.
Astuces
Prefix Check
Always remember that 'ver-' verbs are inseparable. This means the stress is never on the 'ver' and the past participle has no 'ge-'.
The Excuse
Use 'Ich bin verhindert' in professional emails to sound like a native speaker when you can't attend a meeting.
Verhindern vs Vermeiden
If you are taking action to stop something, use 'verhindern'. If you are just trying to not see something, use 'vermeiden'.
Goalie Talk
In football, always use 'verhindern' for a save. 'Der Torwart verhinderte das Tor.'
Law Enforcement
The police 'verhindern' crimes. This is the standard term in crime reports.
Accident Prevention
'Unfallverhinderung' is a very common compound word in German safety training.
Causal Links
In academic writing, use 'verhindern' to explain why a certain result did not occur due to specific variables.
Pronunciation
Focus on the 'f' sound for the 'v'. German 'v' is almost always 'f' in native words like 'verhindern'.
Dass-Clauses
Practice the word order in 'dass' clauses: 'Ich verhindere, dass er den Fehler macht.' (Verb at the end!)
Politeness
Saying 'Ich bin verhindert' is more polite than saying 'Ich habe keine Lust' (I don't feel like it).
Mémorise-le
Moyen mnémotechnique
Think of a 'Fender' (on a car) that prevents (verhindert) damage. 'Ver-hinder' sounds like 'Far-hinder'—you keep the problem far away by hindering its start.
Association visuelle
Imagine a giant red 'X' appearing over a calendar event, or a goalkeeper diving to stop a ball.
Word Web
Défi
Write three sentences: one about a sports save, one about a crime, and one about a personal excuse using 'verhindert'.
Origine du mot
From Middle High German 'verhindern', derived from 'hindern'. The root 'hinder' means 'back' or 'behind' (as in 'behind').
Sens originel : To hold someone back or to keep something behind.
Germanic (Indo-European). Cognate with English 'hinder'.Contexte culturel
Be careful with 'behindert' (disabled) vs 'verhindert' (unavailable). Using the wrong one can be offensive or confusing.
English speakers often use 'avoid' where Germans must use 'verhindern'. English 'prevent' is a direct match, but 'verhindern' is used more often in formal social excuses.
Pratique dans la vie réelle
Contextes réels
Traffic & Safety
- Unfälle verhindern
- Zusammenstoß verhindern
- Gefahr verhindern
- Sicherheitsgurt verhindert
Politics
- Gesetz verhindern
- Krieg verhindern
- Eskalation verhindern
- Reformen verhindern
Medicine
- Infektion verhindern
- Ausbreitung verhindern
- Krankheit verhindern
- Schmerzen verhindern
Business
- Fehler verhindern
- Verluste verhindern
- Insolvenz verhindern
- Datenverlust verhindern
Social/Daily Life
- Streit verhindern
- Lärm verhindern
- Missverständnis verhindern
- leider verhindert sein
Amorces de conversation
"Wie können wir verhindern, dass Plastik ins Meer gelangt?"
"Was hat dich daran verhindert, pünktlich zu kommen?"
"Glaubst du, man kann Kriege durch Diplomatie immer verhindern?"
"Welche Maßnahmen verhindern am besten Einbrüche?"
"Wie kann man verhindern, dass man bei der Arbeit gestresst wird?"
Sujets d'écriture
Schreibe über eine Situation, in der du einen großen Fehler verhindern konntest.
Was sollte die Regierung tun, um den Klimawandel zu verhindern?
Bist du jemals 'verhindert' gewesen, als du etwas Wichtiges vorhattest? Was ist passiert?
Wie kann man verhindern, dass Freundschaften auseinandergehen?
Diskutiere: Kann man das Schicksal verhindern oder ist alles vorbestimmt?
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, 'ver-' is an inseparable prefix in German. You never split it. Example: 'Ich verhindere', not 'Ich hindere ver'.
Verhindern is active prevention (stopping an event). Vermeiden is avoidance (staying away from a situation). You prevent an accident, but you avoid a person you don't like.
Usually, you prevent an action, not a person. Instead of 'I prevent you,' say 'I prevent your departure' (Ich verhindere deine Abreise) or 'I prevent you from leaving' (Ich hindere dich am Gehen).
You say 'Ich bin leider verhindert.' This is a very common and polite formal excuse.
No, it takes the accusative case for the thing being prevented. 'Er verhindert den [Akk] Plan.'
It is 'verhindert'. Because it has an inseparable prefix, it does not use 'ge-'. Example: 'Ich habe es verhindert.'
Yes, very often! 'Der Diebstahl wurde verhindert' (The theft was prevented).
It is neutral to formal. It is the standard word in news and professional contexts, but fine for daily life too.
The noun is 'die Verhinderung'. For example, 'Die Verhinderung von Straftaten' (The prevention of crimes).
Usually none. You prevent the object directly. If you mean 'prevent from', use a 'dass' clause.
Teste-toi 180 questions
Write a sentence using 'verhindern' about an accident.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a polite email sentence saying you are unavailable.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'We must prevent the fire from spreading.'
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Use 'verhindern' in a sentence about sports.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Write a sentence about preventing a mistake.
Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Translate: 'The lock prevents theft.'
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Write a sentence using 'verhinderte' (past tense).
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Translate: 'Nothing could prevent the disaster.'
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Use 'verhindern' in a sentence about laws.
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Write a sentence using 'dass' and 'verhindern'.
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Translate: 'The vaccination prevents the disease.'
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Write a sentence about preventing a war.
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Use 'verhindert' as a past participle.
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Translate: 'Good planning prevents stress.'
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Write a sentence about preventing pollution.
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Use 'verhindern' in a question.
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Translate: 'The fence prevents access.'
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Write a sentence about preventing a scandal.
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Use 'verhindern' with a modal verb.
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Translate: 'The fog prevented the view.'
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Say 'I want to prevent the accident' in German.
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Tu as dit :
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Explain why you are late using 'verhindert'.
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Ask a friend: 'How can we prevent this?'
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Say: 'A helmet prevents injuries.'
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Say: 'We must prevent the fire.'
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Tell someone: 'I prevented the mistake.'
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Say: 'The rain prevented our trip.'
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Ask: 'Could you prevent it?'
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Say: 'Nothing could prevent the disaster.'
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Say: 'I am unfortunately unavailable today.'
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Say: 'The police prevented the crime.'
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Say: 'We want to prevent a war.'
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Say: 'The lock prevents the theft.'
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Say: 'I tried to prevent the argument.'
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Say: 'Good luck prevented the accident.'
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Listen and write the last word: 'Die Notbremsung konnte den Unfall...'
Listen and identify the verb: 'Warum hast du das nicht verhindert?'
Is the speaker busy? 'Ich bin leider am Montag verhindert.'
What is the topic? 'Wir sprechen heute über Unfallverhinderung.'
Listen and write: 'Ein Zaun verhindert den Zutritt.'
What did the goalie do? 'Der Torwart verhinderte das Gegentor.'
Listen and identify the tense: 'Das wurde verhindert.'
Who prevented it? 'Mein Vater verhinderte den Kauf.'
Translate the verb heard: 'Wir müssen die Eskalation verhindern.'
Write the prefix you hear: 'Verhindern'.
/ 180 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
Verhindern is your go-to verb for active prevention. Use it when you are the barrier between a potential problem and its reality, like a goalkeeper preventing a goal or a law preventing a crime.
- Core meaning: To actively prevent or stop an event from happening.
- Grammar: Transitive verb, non-separable 'ver-' prefix, takes accusative case.
- Key Usage: Safety, law, sports, and formal excuses for absence ('verhindert sein').
- Comparison: Stronger than 'avoid' (vermeiden); focuses on the event, not the person.
Prefix Check
Always remember that 'ver-' verbs are inseparable. This means the stress is never on the 'ver' and the past participle has no 'ge-'.
The Excuse
Use 'Ich bin verhindert' in professional emails to sound like a native speaker when you can't attend a meeting.
Verhindern vs Vermeiden
If you are taking action to stop something, use 'verhindern'. If you are just trying to not see something, use 'vermeiden'.
Goalie Talk
In football, always use 'verhindern' for a save. 'Der Torwart verhinderte das Tor.'
Exemple
Wir müssen versuchen, eine Katastrophe zu verhindern.
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