verb
to refuse, to decline
B1
To refuse; to decline. Used reflexively as sich weigern, often followed by zu + Infinitiv or a noun (sich weigern, etwas zu tun). Uses auxiliary haben in perfect (hat sich geweigert); a regular (weak) verb. Imperative and reflexive forms required; not separable.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Ich weigere mich, das zu tun.
I refuse to do that.
Sie weigerte sich höflich, das Angebot anzunehmen.
She politely declined to accept the offer.
Er weigert sich, den Vertrag zu unterschreiben.
He refuses to sign the contract.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Picture someone turning their head away and crossing their arms when offered something: that's 'weigern'.
Sounds like English 'wager' but with an 'n' — imagine refusing a bet.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Commonly used reflexively: 'sich weigern' + zu-infinitive (e.g., sich weigern, zu gehen). It is a regular (weak) verb. Passive forms are not applicable because 'sich weigern' is an intransitive reflexive verb and cannot form a normal, meaningful personal passive.