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B1 verb #3,000 le plus courant 12 min de lecture

werten

Top 3,000

Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces werten en 30 secondes

Explication werten in your Level:

At the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages A1 level, the verb 'werten' is quite advanced. Most beginners focus on simpler verbs like 'finden' (to find/think) or 'mögen' (to like). However, you might encounter 'werten' in very simple contexts related to games or sports. For example, if you are playing a game, you might hear that a point 'zählt' (counts) or is 'gewertet' (valued/counted). At this stage, you don't need to use the word yourself, but you should recognize that it comes from 'Wert' (value). Think of it as a way to say something is important or 'counts' in a system. You might see it on a sign or in a simple instruction: 'Punkte werten' (Score points). The most important thing for an A1 learner is not to confuse it with 'warten' (to wait). If you can remember that 'Wert' means value, you will understand the root of the verb whenever you see it.

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At the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages A2 level, you begin to express more opinions. While you still use 'ich finde' often, you can start to understand 'werten' when people talk about their priorities. You might hear someone say, 'Ich werte Gesundheit sehr hoch' (I value health very highly). This is a more sophisticated way of saying 'Health is important to me.' At this level, you should learn the past participle 'gewertet' because you will hear it in sports news or when people talk about results. You also start to see the word 'bewerten' (to rate) on websites like Amazon or TripAdvisor. Understanding that 'werten' is the base of 'bewerten' helps you build your vocabulary faster. You should practice the conjugation, especially remembering the extra 'e' in 'du wertest' and 'er wertet.' This helps your German sound more natural and rhythmic.

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At the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages B1 level, 'werten' becomes a tool for nuanced discussion. This is the stage where you are expected to describe dreams, hopes, and opinions in more detail. Using 'werten' allows you to categorize things: 'Ich werte das als ein gutes Zeichen' (I value/interpret that as a good sign). This is much more precise than saying 'That is good.' You are explaining *how* you see it. You should also become familiar with the common adverbs that go with 'werten,' such as 'positiv,' 'negativ,' 'hoch,' and 'gering.' This level also introduces the idea of social values (Werte). You might participate in a classroom discussion about what is 'wertvoll' (valuable) in a friendship. Using 'werten' correctly shows that you can think critically and that you understand the difference between a simple feeling and a considered judgment.

At the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages B2 level, you are expected to use 'werten' in more formal and abstract contexts. You should be able to use it in the passive voice: 'Sein Schweigen wurde als Zustimmung gewertet' (His silence was valued/interpreted as agreement). This level also requires you to understand the various prefixed forms like 'aufwerten' (to upgrade/appreciate more), 'abwerten' (to devalue/disparage), and 'auswerten' (to analyze). These are essential for professional and academic German. You might have to write an essay where you 'auswerten' (evaluate) the results of a study or 'beurteilen' (judge) a political decision. At B2, you should also be aware of the noun-verb combinations, like 'einen hohen Stellenwert haben' (to have a high priority), which is a more idiomatic way to express that something is 'hoch gewertet.' Your use of 'werten' should reflect a clear understanding of context and register.

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At the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages C1 level, 'werten' is used to navigate complex philosophical or ethical debates. You will encounter it in high-level literature and academic journals. You should be able to discuss the 'Wertneutralität' (value neutrality) of scientific research or how historical events are 'umgewertet' (re-evaluated) over time. At this level, the distinction between 'werten' and 'beurteilen' or 'evaluieren' must be precise. You might use 'werten' to describe the internal process of assigning significance, while using 'beurteilen' for the external delivery of a verdict. You should also be comfortable with the metaphorical uses of the word, such as 'etwas als Angriff auf die Freiheit werten' (to value/see something as an attack on freedom). Your ability to use 'werten' fluently in complex sentence structures, including the subjunctive and various modal constructions, marks you as a highly proficient speaker who can handle the subtleties of German thought.

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At the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages C2 level, you have a complete command of 'werten' and its entire word family. You can use it with effortless precision in any context, from a legal brief to a poetic description. You understand the historical development of the word and can use it to discuss Nietzsche's 'Umwertung aller Werte' (revaluation of all values) or other complex philosophical concepts. At this level, you can play with the word, using it ironically or in highly specific technical senses. You are aware of the subtle differences between 'werten,' 'taxieren,' 'bemessen,' and 'ponderieren.' Your use of the word is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You can analyze the 'Wertigkeit' (valence/value) of different linguistic choices and use 'werten' to describe the very process of language acquisition and cultural integration. The word is no longer just a verb to you; it is a conceptual tool that you use to shape and express your reality in German.

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Entraîne-toi Exemples Notes et astuces

werten en 30 secondes

Werten means to evaluate, judge, or assign value to something in a specific context.
It is often used with 'als' to interpret one thing as another (e.g., valuing silence as agreement).
In sports and games, it refers to the act of counting points or validating a result officially.
Common adverbs used with it include 'hoch' (highly), 'positiv' (positively), and 'negativ' (negatively).

The German verb werten is a fundamental linguistic building block that encompasses the act of assigning value, significance, or a specific judgment to an object, an action, or a person. At its core, the word is derived from the noun der Wert, which translates to 'value' or 'worth.' When a German speaker uses the word werten, they are rarely just describing a neutral observation; instead, they are engaging in a cognitive process of evaluation. This process can range from the highly formal, such as a judge scoring a gymnastic routine, to the deeply personal, such as an individual deciding how much they appreciate a friend's loyalty. In the context of Common European Framework of Reference for Languages B1 level learners, understanding werten is crucial because it allows for the expression of opinions that go beyond simple 'like' or 'dislike.' It introduces the nuance of 'assessment.'

The Objective Dimension: In technical or sporting contexts, werten refers to the official recording of points or the validation of a result. For instance, if a goal in football is disallowed, it is 'nicht gewertet' (not counted/valued).
The Subjective Dimension: Socially, it describes how one perceives the importance of something. If you say you 'value' someone's opinion, you are performing a mental act of werten. It implies that the opinion carries weight in your decision-making process.

Historically, the word has evolved from Middle High German 'werden,' though it is distinct from the modern auxiliary verb 'werden' (to become). It has always carried the weight of 'estimating the price' or 'estimating the quality.' In modern daily life, you will encounter this verb in discussions about ethics, where people 'werten' certain behaviors as acceptable or unacceptable. It is also prevalent in the workplace, where performance is 'gewertet' (evaluated) by supervisors.

Ich kann deine Hilfe gar nicht hoch genug werten.

This example demonstrates the use of the word to show deep appreciation. By adding the adverb 'hoch' (high), the speaker indicates that the value assigned is immense. This is a common pattern: pairing werten with an adverb to specify the degree of value. You might hear 'positiv werten' (to view positively) or 'negativ werten' (to view negatively). Furthermore, the verb is the parent of many prefixes that are essential for higher-level German. 'Bewerten' (to rate/evaluate) is perhaps more common in business, but 'werten' remains the philosophical and foundational root. When we talk about human values (Werte), we are talking about the things we collectively 'werten' as vital for a functioning society. Therefore, mastering this verb gives you a window into the German mindset regarding ethics, standards, and social hierarchy. It is a word that demands context; you rarely just 'value,' you value 'as' something or 'to a certain degree.' Understanding this relational aspect is the key to using it like a native speaker.

Das Schiedsgericht muss den Vorfall erst werten, bevor eine Strafe ausgesprochen wird.

In this formal context, the word shifts toward 'judge' or 'interpret.' The court must decide what the incident 'counts as' before acting. This versatility is why werten is a B1 level staple; it bridges the gap between simple vocabulary and complex, abstract thought processes. By using this word, you signal that you are capable of critical thinking in German.

Using werten correctly requires attention to its grammatical environment, specifically how it interacts with objects and adverbs. As a transitive verb, it usually takes a direct accusative object—the thing or person being valued. However, its meaning is often completed by an adverbial phrase that describes *how* the thing is being valued. For example, 'jemanden als Freund werten' (to consider someone as a friend).

The Adverbial Connection: You will frequently see werten paired with words like 'hoch' (high), 'gering' (low), 'positiv,' or 'negativ.' This construction tells the listener the intensity or direction of your evaluation.

In the present tense, the conjugation follows the standard pattern for weak verbs: ich werte, du wertest, er/sie/es wertet, wir werten, ihr wertet, sie werten. Note the extra 'e' inserted in the 'du' and 'er/sie/es' forms to make the word pronounceable, a common feature for verbs whose stems end in 't' or 'd.'

Er wertet ihre Schweigsamkeit als Zustimmung.

This sentence illustrates a very common usage: 'etwas als etwas werten' (to interpret/value something as something). Here, silence is being 'valued' or 'interpreted' as agreement. This is a powerful way to express perspectives. In the perfect tense, the auxiliary verb is 'haben,' and the past participle is 'gewertet.' For example, 'Wir haben das Ergebnis als Erfolg gewertet' (We considered the result a success). This structure is essential for reporting on past events or reflecting on experiences. Another important structure is the passive voice, which is used when the focus is on the object being evaluated rather than the person doing the evaluating. 'Die Geste wurde als unhöflich gewertet' (The gesture was valued/seen as impolite). This is common in news reporting or formal critiques.

Wie wertet man in Ihrer Kultur Pünktlichkeit?

This question is a great way to start a cultural discussion. It asks for the 'value' or 'importance' assigned to punctuality. Note how 'man' (one) is used here to ask about general societal standards.

Comparison with 'schätzen': While 'schätzen' also means to value, werten is more about the act of judgment or categorization, whereas 'schätzen' is more about emotional appreciation or estimation. You 'schätzen' a friend's company, but you 'werten' their advice as helpful.

In more advanced usage, werten can appear in the subjunctive II for hypothetical evaluations: 'Ich würde das nicht als Angriff werten' (I wouldn't value/interpret that as an attack). This allows for polite disagreement or softening of an opinion. Mastery of these patterns—the direct object, the 'als' phrase, and the adverbial modifiers—will allow you to use werten with precision and sophistication in both spoken and written German.

The word werten is ubiquitous in German society, appearing in contexts ranging from the living room to the boardroom. One of the most common places you will hear it is in the media, specifically during political analysis or sports commentary. In politics, journalists often ask, 'Wie werten Sie die jüngsten Umfragen?' (How do you value/interpret the recent polls?). Here, the word is used to ask for a professional assessment of data. It suggests that the data itself is neutral until someone 'wertet' it.

Das Tor wurde vom Schiedsrichter nicht gewertet.

In sports, this is the standard phrase for a goal that does not count toward the final score. Whether it was offside or a foul occurred, the act of 'not valuing' the goal is a formal decision. You will also hear this word in educational settings. Teachers might say, 'Diese Aufgabe wird nicht gewertet,' meaning the specific exercise won't affect the student's final grade. It is a word of 'consequence.' If something is 'gewertet,' it matters; if it is 'nicht gewertet,' it can be ignored. In the workplace, 'werten' is used during performance reviews or project debriefs. A manager might say, 'Wir werten Ihre Initiative sehr hoch' (We value your initiative very highly). This is a formal way of giving praise. It sounds more professional and objective than simply saying 'We like your initiative.' In academic circles, the word is used to discuss how to 'weight' different factors in a study or experiment. 'Die Qualität der Daten wurde höher gewertet als die Quantität' (The quality of the data was valued/weighted higher than the quantity).

Everyday Conversation: Even in casual settings, you might hear someone say, 'Ich werte das mal als ein Ja' (I'll take/value that as a yes). This is a common way to playfully or decisively interpret a vague response from a friend.

Furthermore, in the age of digital media, 'bewerten' (a close relative) is used for rating products, but 'werten' is used for the underlying logic of those ratings. If a review system is 'unfair gewertet' (unfairly valued/judged), it means the criteria were flawed. By paying attention to these different spheres—media, sports, education, and work—you will see that werten is the engine of judgment in the German language. It is the word used when someone steps back from a situation to ask: 'What does this mean, and how much does it matter?'

For English speakers learning German, the verb werten presents several pitfalls, primarily due to its similarity to other words and its specific prepositional requirements. One of the most frequent errors is confusing werten with the verb warten (to wait). While they sound somewhat similar to a beginner's ear, their meanings are entirely unrelated. Saying 'Ich werte auf den Bus' instead of 'Ich warte auf den Bus' would translate to 'I am evaluating the bus' rather than waiting for it.

Falsch: Ich werte auf meine Freundin. (I am valuing my girlfriend? - No, you mean 'waiting').

Another common mistake is the confusion between werten and its prefixed version bewerten. While they are often interchangeable, bewerten is more specific to 'rating' or 'giving a grade' (like a 5-star review), whereas werten is more about the general act of 'considering' or 'judging' something as a certain category. If you are reviewing a restaurant, use bewerten. If you are saying that you consider a gift as a sign of friendship, use werten.

Prepositional Errors: Learners often try to use 'wie' (how) instead of 'als' (as) when defining the value. Correct: 'Ich werte das als Erfolg.' Incorrect: 'Ich werte das wie Erfolg.' In German, 'als' is used for identities or roles, while 'wie' is for comparisons.

A third mistake involves the word 'würden' (would). Because werten sounds like a part of 'würden' in some conjugations, learners sometimes get tangled. Remember that werten is a full verb with its own meaning. Finally, learners often forget the 'e' in the conjugation for 'du' and 'er/sie/es.' Writing 'er wertet' is correct; writing 'er wertt' is a common spelling mistake. This extra 'e' is vital for the rhythm of the language.

Richtig: Du wertest die Situation falsch ein.

(Note: 'einwerten' is a related particle verb meaning to assess). By being mindful of these distinctions—waiting vs. valuing, rating vs. judging, and the 'als' vs. 'wie' rule—you will avoid the most common traps that English speakers fall into when using this versatile German verb.

To truly master werten, it is helpful to understand its place within a family of similar verbs, each with its own specific nuance. The German language is rich with words for 'judging' or 'valuing,' and choosing the right one can elevate your speaking from basic to advanced.

Schätzen vs. Werten: Schätzen is more emotional and personal. You 'schätzen' a person's character or a good wine. It implies appreciation. Werten is more analytical and categorical. You 'werten' an action as right or wrong.
Beurteilen vs. Werten: Beurteilen (to judge/assess) is often used in professional or academic contexts where a formal verdict is required. A teacher 'beurteilt' a student's performance. Werten is slightly more abstract and focuses on the 'value' assigned rather than the 'judgment' process itself.
Evaluieren vs. Werten: Evaluieren is a loanword used primarily in business and science. It sounds very formal and technical. If you are analyzing the success of a marketing campaign, you 'evaluieren' the data.

There are also several prefixed versions of werten that you should know. 'Aufwerten' means to upgrade or increase the value of something (e.g., renovating a house). 'Abwerten' means to devalue or disparage (e.g., a currency losing value or someone making a mean comment). 'Auswerten' means to analyze or evaluate data (e.g., evaluating the results of a survey).

Wir müssen die Ergebnisse erst auswerten.

This sentence uses 'auswerten' to describe the technical process of looking at data to find a meaning. Another alternative is 'betrachten als' (to view as). While werten is about the value, 'betrachten als' is about the perception. 'Ich betrachte ihn als meinen Bruder' (I view him as my brother). Using these alternatives correctly depends on whether you want to sound technical (evaluieren), emotional (schätzen), formal (beurteilen), or analytical (werten). By diversifying your vocabulary in this way, you can describe the complex ways in which humans interact with the world around them.

How Formal Is It?

Le savais-tu ?

The word 'werten' is a 'cousin' of the English word 'worth.' While English uses 'worth' as a noun or adjective, German kept the active verb form 'werten' as a central part of its vocabulary for judgment.

Guide de prononciation

UK /ˈvɛʁtn̩/

US /ˈvɛrtn̩/

The stress is on the first syllable: WER-ten.

Rime avec

härten Gärten Gefährten Experten bewährten gelehrten entbehrten verkehrten

Erreurs fréquentes

Pronouncing the 'w' as an English 'w' (like 'water'). It must be a 'v' sound.
Confusing it with 'warten' (waiting), which has an 'a' sound.
Forgetting the extra 'e' in 'wertet' and 'wertest'.
Pronouncing the 'r' too strongly like an American 'r'.
Swallowing the final 'n' too much.

Niveau de difficulté

Lecture 3/5

The word is easy to recognize because of its root, but its meaning in abstract texts can be tricky.

Écriture 4/5

Requires knowledge of the 'als' construction and correct conjugation with the extra 'e'.

Expression orale 3/5

Natural usage requires knowing which adverbs (hoch, gering) pair well with it.

Écoute 4/5

Can be confused with 'warten' or 'werden' if the listener is not attentive.

Quoi apprendre ensuite

Prérequis

der Wert wichtig zählen finden gut/schlecht

Apprends ensuite

bewerten auswerten beurteilen die Wertschätzung die Moral

Avancé

taxieren ponderieren die Wertigkeit normativ die Axiologie

Grammaire à connaître

Verbs with stems ending in -t or -d

werten -> du wertest, er wertet (extra 'e' added for pronunciation).

The preposition 'als' for roles and identities

Ich werte das als (Nominative/Accusative) Erfolg.

Passive voice with 'werden'

Das Ergebnis wurde gewertet.

Transitive verbs and the Accusative

Ich werte den (Accusative) Brief.

Separable prefix verbs (related)

Ich werte die Daten aus (auswerten).

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Exemples par niveau

Wir werten die Punkte jetzt.

We are counting/valuing the points now.

Simple present tense, transitive use.

Das Tor wird nicht gewertet.

The goal is not counted.

Passive voice with 'werden'.

Werten Sie das als gut?

Do you value/consider that as good?

Question form using 'als'.

Er wertet das Spiel.

He is scoring/valuing the game.

Standard subject-verb-object structure.

Ich werte die Hilfe.

I value the help.

Direct accusative object.

Sie wertet das Geschenk.

She values the gift.

Third person singular conjugation.

Wir werten den Test.

We are grading/valuing the test.

First person plural conjugation.

Werten wir das?

Are we counting this?

Interrogative sentence.

Ich werte Gesundheit sehr hoch.

I value health very highly.

Use of the adverb 'hoch' to modify the verb.

Hast du das Ergebnis schon gewertet?

Have you already valued/evaluated the result?

Perfect tense with 'haben' and 'gewertet'.

Sie wertet seine Worte als Lüge.

She values/interprets his words as a lie.

The construction 'etwas als etwas werten'.

Wir werten die Arbeit positiv.

We value the work positively.

Adverbial modifier 'positiv'.

Wertet ihr die Punkte zusammen?

Are you (plural) counting the points together?

Second person plural conjugation.

Das wird als Fehler gewertet.

That is being valued/seen as a mistake.

Passive voice in the present tense.

Er wertet jede Minute.

He values every minute.

Accusative object 'jede Minute'.

Werten wir diese Antwort?

Should we count this answer?

Modal-like use of the present tense for a suggestion.

Ich werte es als großen Erfolg, dass wir fertig sind.

I value it as a great success that we are finished.

Complex sentence with a 'dass' clause.

Man sollte seine Zeit nicht zu gering werten.

One should not value one's time too lowly.

Use of the modal verb 'sollte' and the adverb 'gering'.

Wie werten Sie die aktuelle Situation?

How do you value/assess the current situation?

Formal address 'Sie' and open question with 'wie'.

Sie hat die Geste als Beleidigung gewertet.

She valued/interpreted the gesture as an insult.

Perfect tense with 'als' phrase.

Das Schiedsgericht wertete den Vorfall gestern.

The arbitration court valued/judged the incident yesterday.

Simple past tense (Präteritum).

Wir werten Treue in unserer Firma sehr.

We value loyalty very much in our company.

Transitive use with an abstract noun.

Wird diese Leistung bei der Prüfung gewertet?

Will this performance be valued/counted in the exam?

Passive voice future potential.

Er wertet seine Erfahrungen als sehr wichtig.

He values his experiences as very important.

Reflexive-like use though 'seine Erfahrungen' is the direct object.

Die Experten werten den Kursanstieg als Zeichen der Erholung.

The experts value/interpret the rise in prices as a sign of recovery.

Plural subject with a complex prepositional object.

Es ist schwierig, die langfristigen Folgen zu werten.

It is difficult to value/assess the long-term consequences.

Infinitive construction with 'zu'.

Die Kritik wurde von der Autorin als unfair gewertet.

The criticism was valued/seen as unfair by the author.

Passive voice with 'von' agent.

Wir werten die Daten nach verschiedenen Kriterien.

We value/evaluate the data according to various criteria.

Use of the preposition 'nach'.

Man darf diesen kleinen Fehler nicht übermäßig werten.

One must not value this small mistake excessively.

Modal verb 'darf' with negation and adverb.

Wie würdest du sein Verhalten in dieser Nacht werten?

How would you value/judge his behavior that night?

Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) for hypothetical judgment.

Die Jury wertete die Originalität höher als die Technik.

The jury valued originality higher than technique.

Comparative structure with 'höher als'.

Er wertet es als persönlichen Angriff, wenn man ihm widerspricht.

He values it as a personal attack when someone contradicts him.

Correlative 'es' referring to the 'wenn' clause.

In der Philosophie wird oft diskutiert, wie man moralisches Handeln werten sollte.

In philosophy, it is often discussed how one should value moral action.

Passive voice combined with an indirect question.

Man kann diese Entwicklung durchaus als Paradigmenwechsel werten.

One can certainly value/interpret this development as a paradigm shift.

Use of the modal particle 'durchaus' for emphasis.

Die historische Forschung wertet diese Dokumente heute anders als früher.

Historical research values these documents differently today than in the past.

Adverbial comparison 'anders als'.

Es bleibt abzuwarten, wie die Wähler dieses Versprechen werten werden.

It remains to be seen how the voters will value/judge this promise.

Future tense in an indirect question clause.

Die Tat wurde als ein Akt der Verzweiflung gewertet.

The deed was valued/interpreted as an act of despair.

Passive voice with a complex noun phrase.

Werten wir die Ästhetik über die Funktionalität?

Are we valuing aesthetics over functionality?

Preposition 'über' used to show hierarchy.

Seine Weigerung zu sprechen wurde als Schuldeingeständnis gewertet.

His refusal to speak was valued/taken as an admission of guilt.

Subject is a complex infinitive phrase.

Diese Daten lassen sich kaum objektiv werten.

These data can hardly be valued/assessed objectively.

Reflexive 'lassen' construction as a passive substitute.

Die Umwertung aller Werte ist ein zentrales Motiv in Nietzsches Spätwerk.

The revaluation of all values is a central motif in Nietzsche's late work.

Nominalization of the verb (Umwertung).

Es wäre verfehlt, diese Geste lediglich als Höflichkeit zu werten.

It would be a mistake to value this gesture merely as politeness.

Subjunctive II with a limiting adverb 'lediglich'.

Man muss die verschiedenen Interessen gegeneinander werten.

One must value/weight the various interests against each other.

Adverb 'gegeneinander' showing a process of weighing.

Die soziologische Analyse wertet den Rückgang der Geburtenraten als Symptom tieferer Krisen.

The sociological analysis values the decline in birth rates as a symptom of deeper crises.

Academic register with complex genitive attributes.

Inwieweit lässt sich künstlerische Qualität überhaupt objektiv werten?

To what extent can artistic quality be valued objectively at all?

Interrogative 'inwieweit' exploring the limits of the verb.

Das Schweigen der Regierung wird in der Presse als Schwäche gewertet.

The government's silence is being valued/interpreted as weakness in the press.

Passive voice in a media context.

Diese Nuancen im Text sind für die Interpretation hoch zu werten.

These nuances in the text are to be valued highly for the interpretation.

'sein + zu + infinitive' construction implying necessity.

Er wertete den Erfolg seines Gegners ohne Neid.

He valued/acknowledged the success of his opponent without envy.

Transitive use with an adverbial phrase of manner.

Collocations courantes

hoch werten

gering werten

als Erfolg werten

als Angriff werten

positiv werten

negativ werten

nicht gewertet werden

als Beweis werten

höher werten

objektiv werten

Phrases Courantes

Das ist hoch zu werten.

— This is to be valued highly. Used to show great respect for an achievement.

Dass er trotz der Probleme weitergemacht hat, ist hoch zu werten.

Ich werte das mal als ein Ja.

— I'll take that as a yes. A common way to interpret a vague answer.

Du sagst nichts? Ich werte das mal als ein Ja.

Das wird nicht gewertet.

— This doesn't count. Used in games or exams when a result is ignored.

Die letzte Frage wird nicht gewertet.

Wie ist das zu werten?

— How is this to be interpreted? A question asking for the significance of an event.

Wie ist sein plötzlicher Rücktritt zu werten?

Etwas als Beleidigung werten.

— To take something as an insult. Describing how a comment was perceived.

Sie wertete seine Bemerkung als Beleidigung.

Vorsicht ist als positiv zu werten.

— Caution is to be seen as a positive thing. A general evaluative statement.

In dieser Situation ist Vorsicht als positiv zu werten.

Das Ergebnis werten.

— To evaluate the result. General use in business or science.

Wir müssen erst das Ergebnis werten.

Jemanden als Experten werten.

— To consider someone an expert. Categorizing a person's status.

In diesem Fachbereich wertet man ihn als Experten.

Die Stimmen werten.

— To count/validate the votes. Specific to elections.

Die Wahlhelfer werten gerade die Stimmen.

Einen Vorfall werten.

— To judge an incident. Often used in legal or disciplinary contexts.

Die Polizei muss den Vorfall erst werten.

Souvent confondu avec

werten vs warten

English speakers often confuse the 'e' in werten with the 'a' in warten (to wait).

werten vs werden

The auxiliary verb 'werden' (to become/will) sounds similar if the 't' in werten is not pronounced clearly.

werten vs würden

The subjunctive auxiliary 'würden' can be confused with the conjugated forms of 'werten' by beginners.

Expressions idiomatiques

"Alles in die Waagschale werfen"

— To throw everything into the scale. While not using 'werten' directly, it relates to the concept of weighing value and importance.

Er warf seine ganze Erfahrung in die Waagschale.

Idiomatic

"Etwas auf die Goldwaage legen"

— To put something on the gold scale. To take something too literally or value it too precisely.

Du solltest seine Worte nicht auf die Goldwaage legen.

Colloquial

"Werte schaffen"

— To create values. Often used in business to mean generating lasting worth.

Unser Ziel ist es, für die Kunden Werte zu schaffen.

Business

"Ein hohes Maß an Wertschätzung"

— A high degree of appreciation. A formal way of showing respect.

Sie genießt ein hohes Maß an Wertschätzung im Team.

Formal

"Den Wert von etwas verkennen"

— To fail to recognize the value of something.

Er verkennt den Wert einer guten Ausbildung.

Literary

"Unter Wert verkaufen"

— To sell below value. Used metaphorically when someone doesn't show their full potential.

Du verkaufst dich unter Wert!

Colloquial

"Keinen Pfifferling wert sein"

— Not to be worth a chanterelle (a type of mushroom). Meaning something is completely worthless.

Seine Versprechen sind keinen Pfifferling wert.

Informal/Old-fashioned

"Goldes wert sein"

— To be worth gold. Meaning something is extremely helpful or valuable.

Deine Hilfe war in dieser Situation Goldes wert.

Colloquial

"Den Tatsachen ins Auge sehen"

— To look the facts in the eye. Related to evaluating a situation realistically.

Wir müssen den Tatsachen ins Auge sehen und die Lage neu werten.

Standard

"Maßstäbe setzen"

— To set standards. Related to defining how things will be valued in the future.

Dieses Projekt hat neue Maßstäbe gesetzt.

Professional

Facile à confondre

werten vs bewerten

They both mean to value or evaluate.

Bewerten is more about giving a specific grade or rating (like 1 to 10). Werten is more about the general act of assigning significance or categorization.

Ich bewerte die App mit 5 Sternen, aber ich werte die Idee als genial.

werten vs auswerten

Both involve looking at results.

Auswerten specifically means to analyze data or extract information from a source.

Wir müssen die Fragebögen erst auswerten.

werten vs schätzen

Both relate to value.

Schätzen is emotional appreciation or a rough numerical estimate. Werten is an analytical judgment.

Ich schätze dich als Mensch, aber ich werte deine letzte Tat als Fehler.

werten vs beurteilen

Both involve making a judgment.

Beurteilen is more like 'to pass judgment' or 'to assess quality' in a formal way. Werten is 'to assign a value status.'

Ein Richter beurteilt den Fall.

werten vs zählen

In sports, they can both mean 'to count.'

Zählen is the physical act of counting (1, 2, 3). Werten is the official decision that something counts.

Das Tor zählt! (The goal counts). Das Tor wurde gewertet.

Structures de phrases

Subjekt + werten + Objekt.

Ich werte die Punkte.

Subjekt + werten + Objekt + Adverb.

Er wertet das Spiel gut.

Subjekt + werten + Objekt + als + Nomen.

Sie wertet das als Erfolg.

Objekt + wird + als + Nomen + gewertet.

Der Fehler wird als Pech gewertet.

Es ist + Adjektiv + zu + werten.

Es ist positiv zu werten.

Subjekt + lässt sich + Adverb + werten.

Das lässt sich schwer werten.

Nominalisierung (Die Wertung von...).

Die Wertung der Beweise war schwierig.

Konjunktiv II + werten.

Niemand würde das als Sieg werten.

Famille de mots

Noms

der Wert (value)

die Wertung (evaluation/score)

die Bewertung (rating/review)

die Aufwertung (upgrade/appreciation)

die Abwertung (devaluation/disparagement)

die Auswertung (analysis)

die Wertschätzung (appreciation)

die Wertigkeit (valence/value)

Verbes

bewerten (to rate)

aufwerten (to increase value)

abwerten (to decrease value)

auswerten (to evaluate data)

umwerten (to re-evaluate)

wertschätzen (to appreciate)

entwerten (to invalidate/devalue)

Adjectifs

wertvoll (valuable)

wertlos (worthless)

wertvoll (precious)

wertfrei (value-free/neutral)

wertbeständig (stable in value)

sehenswert (worth seeing)

lebenswert (worth living)

Apparenté

würdigen

schätzen

beurteilen

messen

prüfen

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Comment l'utiliser

frequency

Common in media, sports, and professional discussions. Less common in very casual street slang.

Erreurs courantes

Ich werte auf den Bus. → Ich warte auf den Bus.
Confusing 'werten' (to value) with 'warten' (to wait). The vowels 'e' and 'a' are different.
Er wertet das wie einen Sieg. → Er wertet das als einen Sieg.
Using 'wie' (like) instead of 'als' (as) for a categorical identity.
Das Tor wird nicht gewert. → Das Tor wird nicht gewertet.
Forgetting the 'et' in the past participle of a verb whose stem ends in 't'.
Ich werte dich sehr. → Ich schätze dich sehr. / Ich werte deine Meinung sehr.
'Werten' is rarely used for a person as a whole; use 'schätzen' for people and 'werten' for their qualities or actions.
Wir werden das als Erfolg. → Wir werten das als Erfolg.
Confusing 'werden' (will/become) with 'werten' (to value).

Astuces

The 'E' Rule

Always remember the extra 'e' in 'wertest' and 'wertet.' Verbs ending in -t or -d need this for the rhythm of the language. Without it, it's almost impossible to say!

Pair with Adverbs

To sound like a native, don't just use 'werten' alone. Pair it with 'hoch,' 'gering,' 'positiv,' or 'negativ.' This gives the 'scale' on which you are judging.

Sports News

If you want to hear this word in action, watch the German sports news (Sportschau). You will hear 'gewertet' every time a goal or a point is discussed.

Professional Tone

Use 'werten' in business emails to sound more analytical. Instead of 'I think the meeting was good,' say 'Ich werte das Meeting als Erfolg.'

Werten vs. Warten

Never say 'Ich werte auf dich.' That means you are evaluating the person. You want 'Ich warte auf dich' (I am waiting for you).

The Scale Metaphor

Think of 'werten' as a scale. You are putting something on one side and a label (like 'Success' or 'Failure') on the other to see if they balance.

Use Prefixes

Once you master 'werten,' learn 'auswerten' (data analysis). It is one of the most useful verbs in any professional German environment.

Values Matter

Germans talk a lot about 'Werte.' Understanding the verb 'werten' helps you understand how those societal values are formed and discussed.

Polite Disagreement

Use 'Ich würde das anders werten' to politely disagree with someone's interpretation of a situation. It sounds very sophisticated.

Listen for 'Als'

The word 'als' is the best signal that 'werten' is about to be used as 'to interpret as.' Train your ear to catch that 'als'!

Mémorise-le

Moyen mnémotechnique

Think of a 'W' for 'Weight.' When you 'werten' something, you are checking its 'Weight' or 'Worth' on a scale.

Association visuelle

Imagine a judge holding a golden scale. On one side is an action, and on the other side is a label like 'Success.' The judge is performing the act of 'werten.'

Word Web

Wert Geld Moral Sport Urteil Schätzung Note Bedeutung

Défi

Try to use 'werten' three times today: once for a sports result, once for a friend's advice, and once for a personal goal.

Origine du mot

The word 'werten' stems from the Old High German 'werdan' and the Middle High German 'werten.' It is directly related to the noun 'Wert,' which has roots in the Proto-Indo-European '*wer-,' meaning 'to turn' or 'to bend,' possibly evolving into the sense of 'price' or 'worth' as a turning point in trade.

Sens originel : The original meaning was centered around 'estimating the price' or 'weighing the value' of goods in a marketplace.

Germanic

Contexte culturel

Be careful when 'werten' people's behavior in social settings; it can sound a bit judgmental if used too harshly.

English speakers often use 'value' as a noun but might prefer 'to judge' or 'to assess' as verbs. Using 'werten' helps bridge that gap in German.

Friedrich Nietzsche's 'Umwertung aller Werte' (The Revaluation of All Values). The 'Wertesystem' of the German Basic Law (Grundgesetz). Sports broadcasts on ARD or ZDF where results are 'gewertet'.

Pratique dans la vie réelle

Contextes réels

Sports and Competitions

Das Tor wurde nicht gewertet.
Wie werden die Punkte gewertet?
Ein Sieg wird mit drei Punkten gewertet.
Die Zeit wurde als neuer Rekord gewertet.

Personal Relationships

Ich werte deine Meinung sehr.
Sie wertet das als Vertrauensbeweis.
Er wertet Ehrlichkeit über alles.
Das darfst du nicht als Angriff werten.

Business and Professional Life

Wir werten die Ergebnisse der Umfrage.
Das wurde als Erfolg gewertet.
Wie werten Sie die Marktentwicklung?
Die Leistung wird hoch gewertet.

Politics and Media

Die Presse wertet die Rede als Wendepunkt.
Der Vorfall wurde als Provokation gewertet.
Umfragen werten die Stimmung im Land.
Das Gesetz wird als Fortschritt gewertet.

Education and Exams

Diese Aufgabe wird extra gewertet.
Fehler werden negativ gewertet.
Die Mitarbeit wird in die Note gewertet.
Wird dieser Test gewertet?

Amorces de conversation

"Wie würdest du den Erfolg dieses Projekts werten?"

"Werten wir in unserer Gesellschaft Geld zu hoch?"

"Würdest du Schweigen in einer Diskussion als Zustimmung werten?"

"Wie werten Sie die Bedeutung von künstlicher Intelligenz in der Zukunft?"

"Welche Eigenschaften werten Sie bei einem guten Freund am höchsten?"

Sujets d'écriture

Reflektiere über eine Situation, in der du eine Geste falsch gewertet hast. Was ist passiert?

Welche drei Dinge wertest du in deinem Leben am meisten und warum?

Wie hat sich die Art und Weise, wie du Erfolg wertest, in den letzten Jahren verändert?

Beschreibe eine kulturelle Differenz, die du als positiv oder negativ gewertet hast.

Sollte man die Meinung anderer Leute immer hoch werten? Warum oder warum nicht?

Questions fréquentes

10 questions

Not exactly. While it can mean 'to value' (as in appreciating something), it more often means 'to evaluate' or 'to judge' something as a certain category. For example, 'to value something as a success' means to interpret it that way. In sports, it means 'to count' or 'to score.' Context is essential to determine the exact nuance.

'Bewerten' is much more common for 'rating' things, like a movie, a teacher, or a product. 'Werten' is more abstract and is used for interpreting the significance of an event or action. If you give a star rating, use 'bewerten.' If you are saying 'I see his silence as a 'no,' use 'werten' (as in 'Ich werte sein Schweigen als Nein').

The conjugation is: ich werte, du wertest, er/sie/es wertet, wir werten, ihr wertet, sie werten. Notice the extra 'e' in the 'du' and 'er/sie/es' forms. This is necessary because the verb stem ends in 't,' making it easier to pronounce the endings.

Yes, but usually in the context of valuing their qualities or interpreting their actions. You wouldn't usually say 'Ich werte dich' to mean 'I value you' (you would say 'Ich schätze dich'). You would say 'Ich werte deine Meinung' or 'Ich werte dich als Experten.' It's about the role or quality, not the person as a whole.

It is a weak (regular) verb. This means its stem doesn't change in the past tense (wertete) or the past participle (gewertet).

The most common 'partner' for 'werten' is 'als' (as). For example: 'etwas als Erfolg werten.' It doesn't usually take prepositions like 'auf' or 'für' in its base meaning.

Use 'hoch werten' when you want to say that something is very important to you or carries a lot of weight. It's a more formal and precise way of saying 'Something is very important.' Example: 'In unserer Familie wird Ehrlichkeit sehr hoch gewertet.'

It is moderately common. You'll hear it in sports, news, and professional environments. In casual conversation, people might use 'finden' or 'glauben' more often, but 'werten' is used when someone wants to be more specific about their interpretation of a situation.

It means the question or the specific answer will not be included in the final score. It essentially 'doesn't count' toward the grade.

Yes, but 'wertschätzen' is a better and more common word for 'to appreciate' in a heartfelt way. 'Werten' is more about the analytical assessment of value.

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