verb
to confuse, to mix up
B1
Means 'to confuse' or 'to mix up' (often people, names, or things). A regular, weak, non‑separable verb that uses haben for perfect tense (Partizip: verwechseln→verwechselt). It's transitive (takes an accusative object). Not reflexive; watch context to avoid confusing with similar verbs.
Examples
Der Verkäufer verwechselte die Packungen, weil die Etiketten ähnlich aussahen.
The seller mixed up the packages because the labels looked similar.
Er verwechselte die beiden.
He mixed the two up.
Ich verwechsle die Namen.
I mix up the names.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine two identical hats on a coat rack and you grab the wrong one — that's 'verwechseln' (mix up/confuse).
Sounds a bit like 'fur-wex-len' — think 'mix' in the middle to remember 'mix up'.
Notes
Often used with objects or people ('jemanden/verwechseln'). Common mistake: do not confuse with 'wechseln' (to change).