Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| weggehen | /ˈvɛkɡeːən/ |
| fortgehen | /ˈfɔʁtˌɡeːən/ |
| wegfahren | [ˈvɛkfaːrən] (narrow) |
| fortfahren | /ˈfɔʁtˌfaːʁən/ |
General departure is expressed with weggehen, while more permanent or dramatic departures might use fortgehen. If you are leaving specifically by a vehicle, such as a car or a train, use wegfahren.
What does it mean word for word?
The word weggehen is a combination of weg (away) and gehen (to go).
Which one should you use?
Weggehen is more common in everyday spoken German for the act of leaving a place. Fortgehen often carries a slightly more permanent or dramatic connotation of 'departing' or 'going away for good'. If the departure involves a vehicle like a bike, car or train, you should use wegfahren instead of weggehen.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Weggehen is a separable verb. In a main clause with a conjugated auxiliary, the prefix weg moves to the end of the clause, such as Ich gehe jetzt weg.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈvɛkɡeːən/
Did you know?
- The German verb fortfahren can mean 'to continue' or 'to proceed' with an action, rather than just 'to leave' by vehicle.
- The prefix fort- in fortgehen is an etymological relative of the English word 'forth', used in phrases like 'to go forth'.
- Using fortgehen instead of the more common weggehen can change a simple departure into a heavy emotional statement, like a permanent breakup.
Examples in context
- Ich muss nun weggehen.I have to leave now.This sentence is useful for expressing a current necessity to leave using weggehen.Tatoeba #852420 by Esperantostern, translation #31380 by CK
- Er kann nicht fortgehen.He can't leave.This sentence is useful for expressing an inability to leave using fortgehen.Tatoeba #10090230 by wolfgangth, translation #8477685 by CH
- Wann wird Maria weggehen?When will Mary leave?This sentence is useful for asking about a future departure using weggehen.Tatoeba #5153657 by kolonjano, translation #9440522 by sundown
- Ich muss das Büro verlassen.I have to leave the office.
- Ich muss gehenI must leave
- Ich möchte jetzt Abschied nehmen.I would like to say goodbye now.
- Ich gehe jetzt weg.I am leaving now.
- Lass uns abhauen!Let's get out of here!
- Ich muss verschwinden.I have to disappear/leave.
- Es tut mir leid, ich muss jetzt gehen.I'm sorry, I have to leave now.
- Könnten Sie mich für einen Moment alleine lassen?Could you leave me alone for a moment?
- Er musste den Raum verlassen, um einen Anruf entgegenzunehmen.He had to leave the room to take a call.
- Ich verschwinde jetzt, wir sehen uns morgen!I'm leaving now, see you tomorrow!
- Lass uns hier abhauen und zum Strand gehen!Let's leave here and go to the beach!
- 63 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Maximilian are at a party.
- JuliaMöchtest du jetzt schon weggehen?Do you want to leave already?
- MaximilianJa, ich bin sehr müde.Yes, I am very tired.
- JuliaDann können wir gemeinsam weggehen.Then we can leave together.
- MaximilianDas ist eine gute Idee, Julia.That is a good idea, Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “leave” translations and entries weggehen, fortgehen, wegfahren, fortfahren, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fortfahren, fortgehen, wegfahren, weggehen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
