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vergehen

/fɛɐ̯ˈɡeːən/
verb★Intermediate— to pass (time), to elapse
general

To pass or elapse (time).

Ein Jahr ist schnell vergangen.

A year has quickly passed.

💡

Often used with time-related nouns like 'Zeit' (time) or 'Jahr' (year).

⚖️Law
formal

To expire or become invalid (e.g., a contract or deadline).

Der Vertrag ist vergangen und nicht mehr gültig.

The contract has expired and is no longer valid.

💡

In legal contexts, it refers to the end of a contract's validity.

formal

To pass away (e.g., a person).

Sein Großvater ist vor zwei Jahren vergangen.

His grandfather passed away two years ago.

💡

A more formal or poetic way to say someone has died.

Collocations

Zeit vergehttime passesJahr vergehtyear passesVertrag vergehtcontract expires

Synonyms

Antonyms

Related Phrases

die Zeit vergeht wie im Flugphrase
time flies
die Frist vergehtphrase
the deadline passes

💡Pro Tip

Time Context

When used with time, 'vergehen' emphasizes the passage of time, often in a neutral or positive way.

⚡Gold Rule

Legal Usage

In legal contexts, 'vergehen' can mean 'to expire', especially for contracts or deadlines.

📖Word Origin

From Middle High German 'vergehen', meaning 'to pass away' or 'to elapse'. Related to the Old High German 'firgehan' (to pass).

📝Usage Notes

The verb 'vergehen' is often used with time-related nouns. In legal contexts, it can mean 'to expire'. In formal or poetic language, it can refer to someone passing away.

Word Breakdown

ver-
intensive prefix
prefix
+
-gehen
to go, to pass
root
Deutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch

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