verb
to give up
B1
verzichten means to give up, renounce, or forgo something (often with preposition 'auf' + accusative: auf etwas verzichten). It's a regular weak, non‑reflexive verb that uses auxiliary 'haben' in perfect tenses. Common collocations: 'auf etwas verzichten' and 'auf Genussmittel verzichten' (to abstain).
Examples
Die Partei verzichtete auf den Kandidaten, weil interne Konflikte eskalierten.
The party renounced the candidate because internal conflicts escalated.
Ich habe auf vieles verzichtet.
I have given up a lot.
Ich verzichte auf Alkohol während des Monats.
I'm giving up alcohol for the month.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture pushing something away with your hand — you 'verzichten' on it
ver-ZICH-ten — think 'forgo' (ver- ~ for-, verzichten ~ forgo) to remember 'give up'
Notes
Regular weak verb commonly used with the preposition 'auf' (auf etwas verzichten = to give something up / do without). | Passive forms are generally not applicable (intransitive with a prepositional object; personal passive is not used).