verb
to get lost, to run (a route) / to take place (an event)
B1
Verlaufen: primarily 'to get lost' (reflexive: sich verlaufen) and 'to run/take place' (non-reflexive: etwas verläuft). Uses haben in perfect (ich habe mich verlaufen). Strong irregular verb with vowel change (Präteritum verlief). Can be reflexive or not; meanings differ accordingly. Also used in event descriptions.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Die Demonstration verlief friedlich.
The demonstration proceeded peacefully.
Die Demonstration verlief friedlich und ohne Zwischenfälle.
The demonstration took place peacefully and without incidents.
Ich habe mich verlaufen.
I got lost.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Imagine a person running off the path and a map marked 'verlaufen' showing a wrong route.
Think 'ver-lauf-en' like 'run' (lauf) with 'ver' — connects to running/losing the way.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Commonly used reflexively ('sich verlaufen' = to get lost). When non-reflexive it can mean 'to run' as in an event 'etwas verläuft gut' = something goes/went well. | Intransitive verb; passive voice forms are not applicable.