Looking up...
verharren
/fɛɐ̯ˈhaʁən/
to remain
Er verharre in Schweigen.
He remained silent.
formal
to stay in a particular state or position without changing or moving
Die Situation verharre in einem kritischen Zustand.
The situation remains in a critical state.
Sie verharren in ihrer Meinung, ohne Kompromisse einzugehen.
They remain steadfast in their opinion without making compromises.
Often used in formal or literary contexts to describe a state of stillness or persistence.
literary
to linger in a place without leaving
Er verharre noch lange am Fenster.
He lingered by the window for a long time.
Less common usage, typically found in descriptive or narrative texts.
Collocations
in Schweigen verharrento remain silentin einer Position verharrento remain in a positionin der Ungewissheit verharrento remain in uncertainty
Synonyms
Pro Tip
Avoid overusing 'verharren'
While 'verharren' is precise, it can sound stiff in everyday speech. Prefer simpler verbs like 'bleiben' (to stay) or 'sitzen bleiben' (to remain seated) in informal contexts.
Gold Rule
Use 'verharren' for states, not actions
'Verharren' describes a state of being (e.g., remaining silent, in a position) rather than an action. Do not use it for dynamic actions like 'running' or 'jumping'.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'verharren', from Old High German 'firharren', composed of 'fir-' (a prefix indicating completion or intensification) and 'harren' (to wait, expect). Related to Old English 'heardian' (to harden).
Usage Notes
The verb 'verharren' is formal and often used in written language or elevated speech. It implies a deliberate or passive persistence in a state, rather than an active choice. Avoid using it in casual conversation.
Word Breakdown
ver-
intensifying prefix
prefix-harren
to wait, expect
rootDeutsch-Englisch Wörterbuch