In 15 Seconds
- To resist, fight back, or stand up for yourself.
- Used for both physical defense and verbal pushback.
- Requires reflexive pronouns like 'mich', 'dich', or 'sich'.
Meaning
It means standing up for yourself or resisting something you don't like. It can be physical defense, but usually, it's about pushing back against an unfair situation or a bad idea.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing a workplace conflict
Du musst dich gegen diesen unfairen Chef wehren.
You have to stand up to that unfair boss.
Talking about a persistent cold
Mein Körper wehrt sich gegen die Erkältung.
My body is fighting off the cold.
Texting a friend about a pushy salesperson
Ich konnte mich kaum gegen sein Verkaufsgespräch wehren!
I could hardly resist his sales pitch!
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Zivilcourage' is very important. Germans are encouraged to 'sich wehren' when they see injustice in public, such as someone being harassed on a train. Direct democracy allows citizens to 'sich wehren' against laws through referendums. It is a core part of the political identity. Similar to Germany, but there is a specific cultural nuance of 'Raunzen' (complaining) which is often the first step before someone actually 'sich wehrt'. Standing up for your rights (Arbeitnehmerrechte) is seen as professional, not necessarily aggressive, if done correctly.
Use it for boundaries
It's the best word for saying you are setting a personal boundary.
Don't forget 'sich'
Without 'sich', the verb changes meaning or becomes incomplete.
In 15 Seconds
- To resist, fight back, or stand up for yourself.
- Used for both physical defense and verbal pushback.
- Requires reflexive pronouns like 'mich', 'dich', or 'sich'.
What It Means
Sich wehren is all about resistance. Think of it as your personal 'No' in action. It describes the moment you stop being passive. You decide to fight back against a person, a rule, or even a feeling. It is a reflexive verb, so you are always doing the action to yourself (mich, dich, sich).
How To Use It
You use it when someone crosses a boundary. It often takes the preposition gegen (against). For example, Ich wehre mich gegen die Überstunden means you are resisting those extra work hours. You can also use it for physical self-defense, though we hope you only use it for verbal arguments over who ate the last yogurt.
When To Use It
Use it in professional settings when a boss is unfair. Use it with friends if they are teasing you too much. It is perfect for talking about social movements or politics too. If a cold is trying to start, you can even say your body is sich wehren against the virus. It is a very versatile 'warrior' word for everyday life.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for simple disagreements. If you just dislike a movie, you don't wehren against it; you just don't like it. It implies a struggle or an active effort to stop something. Also, don't confuse it with bewahren, which means to preserve. Defending your honor is wehren; keeping your old stamps is bewahren.
Cultural Background
Germans value 'Zivilcourage' (civil courage). This means standing up for what is right. Sich wehren is the linguistic heart of this concept. Historically and socially, there is a strong respect for people who don't just follow orders blindly. Being able to sich wehren is seen as a sign of a strong, healthy character.
Common Variations
The noun form is die Gegenwehr (the resistance). You might hear wehrlos, which means defenseless—like a turtle without a shell. Another common one is sich zur Wehr setzen. This is a bit more formal and dramatic. It sounds like you are picking up a metaphorical sword to protect your interests.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and safe for all contexts. Just ensure the reflexive pronoun matches the subject (ich -> mich, du -> dich).
Use it for boundaries
It's the best word for saying you are setting a personal boundary.
Don't forget 'sich'
Without 'sich', the verb changes meaning or becomes incomplete.
Combine with 'vehement'
To sound more advanced, say 'sich vehement wehren' (to resist vehemently).
Zivilcourage
Mentioning 'sich wehren' in the context of 'Zivilcourage' will impress native speakers.
Examples
6Du musst dich gegen diesen unfairen Chef wehren.
You have to stand up to that unfair boss.
Here it means verbal or legal resistance.
Mein Körper wehrt sich gegen die Erkältung.
My body is fighting off the cold.
A common way to describe the immune system.
Ich konnte mich kaum gegen sein Verkaufsgespräch wehren!
I could hardly resist his sales pitch!
Used humorously to describe being overwhelmed.
Die Bürger wehren sich gegen die neue Steuer.
The citizens are resisting the new tax.
Formal use describing political opposition.
Der Hund wehrt sich mit Händen und Füßen gegen das Bad.
The dog is fighting tooth and nail against the bath.
Uses an idiom 'mit Händen und Füßen' for emphasis.
Ich habe endlich gelernt, mich zu wehren.
I finally learned how to defend myself.
Reflects personal growth and boundary setting.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun and preposition.
Ich muss ____ gegen ____ Chef wehren.
The subject is 'Ich', so the reflexive pronoun is 'mich'. 'Gegen' takes the accusative, and 'Chef' is masculine, so 'den'.
Which sentence is correct?
A) Er wehrt sich vor der Polizei. B) Er wehrt sich gegen die Polizei. C) Er wehrt gegen die Polizei.
B is correct because it uses the reflexive pronoun 'sich' and the correct preposition 'gegen'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Dein Bruder nimmt dir immer dein Spielzeug weg! B: Ich weiß, aber ich kann mich einfach nicht ______.
'Wehren' fits best here as it means standing up for oneself in a personal conflict.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: Someone is spreading lies about you at work.
Lies (Lügen) are something you would actively resist or defend yourself against.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Wehren vs. Beschweren
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch muss ____ gegen ____ Chef wehren.
The subject is 'Ich', so the reflexive pronoun is 'mich'. 'Gegen' takes the accusative, and 'Chef' is masculine, so 'den'.
A) Er wehrt sich vor der Polizei. B) Er wehrt sich gegen die Polizei. C) Er wehrt gegen die Polizei.
B is correct because it uses the reflexive pronoun 'sich' and the correct preposition 'gegen'.
A: Dein Bruder nimmt dir immer dein Spielzeug weg! B: Ich weiß, aber ich kann mich einfach nicht ______.
'Wehren' fits best here as it means standing up for oneself in a personal conflict.
Situation: Someone is spreading lies about you at work.
Lies (Lügen) are something you would actively resist or defend yourself against.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, it can be very polite. It just means you aren't accepting something unfair.
Yes! 'Der Körper wehrt sich gegen die Viren' is very common.
'Abwehren' is more about the specific act of blocking a single blow or offer. 'Sich wehren' is the general state of resistance.
No, it must be 'gegen dich'.
Yes, when a team fights back after being behind in score.
It is neutral. It works in a bar or in a legal document.
It means 'defenseless' — someone who cannot 'sich wehren'.
Yes, 'Die Katze wehrt sich gegen den Hund'.
'Ich wehre mich' or 'Ich trete für mich selbst ein'.
Yes, {die|f} Gegenwehr (resistance/defense).
Related Phrases
sich zur Wehr setzen
synonymTo put up a fight / to defend oneself
Widerstand leisten
similarTo offer resistance
sich verteidigen
synonymTo defend oneself
Paroli bieten
similarTo stand up to someone
aufbegehren
builds onTo rebel / to protest
