der  Verzicht

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈtsɪçt/

🤔 What does 'der Verzicht' mean?

Der Verzicht is a masculine German noun meaning renunciation, waiver, or abstention. It refers to the conscious decision to give up something one is entitled to or would like to have. This could be a claim, a right, a pleasure, a wish, or a habit.

• Voluntary renunciation/abstention: Choosing not to have, do, or claim something (e.g., Verzicht auf Süßigkeiten - giving up sweets, Verzicht auf ein Erbe - renouncing an inheritance).
• Legal context: Giving up a legal right or claim (e.g., Rechtsverzicht - waiver of rights, Forderungsverzicht - waiver of claim/debt).

The article is always der. There are no alternative articles for this word.

🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'Verzicht'

Der Verzicht is a masculine noun. The plural form (die Verzichte) is rarely used and typically refers to multiple specific acts of renunciation or waiver declarations.

Singular

Note: The -(e) in Genitive and Dative singular is often omitted in modern German, especially in speech. So 'des Verzichts' and 'dem Verzicht' are very common.

Plural - rare

📝 Example Sentences

1. Sein Verzicht auf das Amt überraschte alle.
   His renunciation of the office surprised everyone. (Nominative)
2. Trotz des schmerzlichen Verzichts fühlte er sich befreit.
   Despite the painful renunciation, he felt liberated. (Genitive)
3. Nach langem Überlegen stimmte sie dem Verzicht zu.
   After long consideration, she agreed to the waiver. (Dative)
4. Sie leistete einen freiwilligen Verzicht auf das Erbe.
   She made a voluntary waiver of the inheritance. (Accusative)
5. Die vielen kleinen Verzichte im Alltag summieren sich.
   The many small renunciations/sacrifices in everyday life add up. (Plural - rare)

The corresponding verb is verzichten auf + Accusative case: Ich verzichte auf den Nachtisch. (I renounce/pass on the dessert.)

💡 How to use 'Verzicht'?

Der Verzicht is used in various contexts:

• Personal Choices: When someone deliberately gives up something pleasant or customary, often for health, ethical, or disciplinary reasons. Example: Der Verzicht auf Alkohol fiel ihm schwer. (Giving up alcohol was hard for him.)
• Law and Finance: In a legal or economic context, Verzicht means the formal abandonment of a claim or right. Example: Der Gläubiger erklärte den Verzicht auf einen Teil der Forderung. (The creditor declared a waiver of part of the claim.)
• Morality and Ethics: Verzicht can also describe a virtue or an ethical stance where one consciously takes or claims less. Example: Ein Leben im Verzicht kann zu spiritueller Klarheit führen. (A life of renunciation can lead to spiritual clarity.)

Important: The structure is always verzichten auf etwas (verb + preposition 'auf' + Accusative object).

Distinction: Der Verzicht is the noun form of the verb verzichten (to renounce/waive). It emphasizes the act of not claiming or taking something. Die Aufgabe can mean 'giving something up' (e.g., *die Aufgabe eines Plans* - giving up a plan), but its primary meaning is 'task' or 'assignment'.
Die Entsagung is very similar but often carries a stronger moral or spiritual connotation, similar to 'abnegation'.

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

Article Mnemonic: Think of a powerful man (masculine -> DER) who has to VERZICHT (renounce) his claim. DER leader makes a Verzicht.

Meaning Mnemonic: Verzicht sounds a bit like "fair Sicht" (fair view/sight). When you have a fair view of the situation, you might realize it's better to renounce (Verzicht leisten) something.

↔️ Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Note: Die Zucht (discipline, breeding) is not directly related etymologically, although discipline often involves renunciation (Verzicht).

😂 A Little Joke

German: Fragt der Arzt: "Haben Sie schon mal über den Verzicht auf Alkohol nachgedacht?" Patient: "Nachgedacht schon, Herr Doktor. Aber wer denkt schon gerne an Verzicht?"

English: The doctor asks: "Have you ever thought about abstaining from alcohol?" Patient: "I've thought about it, doctor. But who likes thinking about abstention/renunciation?"

📜 A Poem about Renunciation

German:
Manchmal ist Weniger mehr,
Ein Schritt zurück, fällt oft nicht schwer.
Der Verzicht, bewusst gewählt,
Hat oft schon Neues uns erzählt. Auf Lärm, auf Hast, auf Überfluss,
Bringt inn're Ruh' und Seelengenuss.

English Translation:
Sometimes less is more,
A step back often isn't a chore.
Renunciation, consciously chosen,
Has often told us new things, interwoven.
On noise, on haste, on excess' call,
Brings inner peace and soul's enthrall.

🧩 A Little Riddle

German:
Ich bin kein Ding, das man besitzt,
Doch oft ein Preis, der heiß erhitzt.
Man übt mich aus, gibt etwas her,
Mal fällt es leicht, mal ist es schwer.
Ich wohne oft im stillen Nein,
Was kann ich nur sein?

English Translation:
I am not a thing that one possesses,
Yet often a prize that hotly stresses.
You practice me, give something away,
Sometimes it's easy, sometimes hard to obey.
I often dwell in a silent 'no',
What can I possibly be, you know?

Solution: Der Verzicht (Renunciation / Waiver)

🌐 Other Information

Word Origin (Etymology):

The word Verzicht is the noun corresponding to the verb verzichten. This verb originates from the Middle High German verjehen or verjëhen, which initially meant 'to assure', 'to grant', but also 'to give up', 'to renounce'. The prefix ver- here indicates turning away or giving up. It is related to the verb zeihen (in the sense of 'to accuse', formerly also 'to show', 'to instruct').

Typical Collocations:

• einen Verzicht leisten (to make a renunciation/waiver)
• auf etwas verzichten (to renounce/waive something)
• zum Verzicht bereit sein (to be prepared to renounce/waive)
• der freiwillige / schmerzliche / gänzliche Verzicht (the voluntary / painful / complete renunciation)
• Verzicht üben (to practice renunciation/abstinence)