verb
to invent, to make up (a story)
B1
A strong (irregular) verb meaning to invent or to make up (a story). Auxiliary: haben for perfect tenses. Simple past: erfand; past participle: erfunden. Non‑reflexive, not separable. Use for creating devices or fabricating stories; passive uses werden (erfunden werden). Imperative: erfinde (du), erfindet (ihr).
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Thomas hat das neue Werkzeug erfunden.
Thomas invented the new tool.
Er erfand eine neue Maschine.
He invented a new machine.
Sie hat eine Ausrede erfunden.
She made up an excuse.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
imagine inventing a new 'friend' (er-FIND) — you 'find' something new and create it
think 'er-FIND-en' — like 'find' a new thing
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
erfinden commonly means 'to invent' (create something new) but can also mean 'to make up' (a story, excuse). Past stem is erfand and past participle is erfunden.