gewinnen
/ɡəˈvɪnən/
The English phrase "win" translates to the German verb gewinnen.
gewinnen is used to achieve victory. It can be used transitively (winning a prize) and intransitively (winning a game/match).
Meaning: transitive: achieve victory in (verb)
Which one should you use?
While gewinnen is used for winning competitions or prizes, siegen is used for the act of being victorious in a struggle or battle.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past form of gewinnen is gewann, and the past participle is gewonnen.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡəˈvɪnən/
Did you know?
- The ancient root of gewinnen was not about victory but about the feeling of 'desire' or 'love'.
- The German word gewonnen is used both for winning a race and for 'gaining' an advantage, merging victory and acquisition into one term.
- The past participle gewonnen is often used in the phrase endlich gewonnen, which can imply a sense of relief that a long struggle is over.
Examples in context
- Was wird Tom gewinnen?What'll Tom win?This sentence is useful for asking what someone will win using gewinnen.Tatoeba #6618741 by Felixjp, translation #5758260 by CM
- Er ließ mich gewinnen.He let me win.This sentence is useful for saying someone let you win using gewinnen.Tatoeba #9985231 by wolfgangth, translation #8476954 by CH
- Du läßt mich gewinnen.You're letting me win.This sentence is useful for saying someone is letting you win using gewinnen.Tatoeba #12640005 by Waldelfe, translation #11656748 by ddnktr
- Ich habe das Rennen gewonnen.I won the race.
- Unsere Mannschaft hat das Spiel gewonnen.Our team won the game.
- Er hat den ersten Preis gewonnen.He won the first prize.
- Er hat im Duell gesiegt.He won the duel.
- Unsere Mannschaft hat gegen ihre Rivalen gesiegt.Our team beat their rivals.
- Die Freiheit hat gesiegt.Freedom has prevailed.
- Ich habe das Spiel gewonnen.I won the game.
- Du hast die Challenge gewonnen.You won the challenge.
- Wir haben das Quiz gewonnen.We won the quiz.
- Ich habe die Karten für das Konzert abgestaubt.I snagged the tickets for the concert.
- Hast du den Wettbewerb abgestaubt?Did you clean up in the competition?
- Wir haben den ersten Platz abgestaubt.We snatched the first place.
- 529 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are discussing a local tennis tournament.
- LukasGlaubst du, dass ich gewinnen kann?Do you think I can win?
- SarahJa, Lukas, du spielst sehr gut.Yes, Lukas, you play very well.
- LukasIch möchte dieses Turnier unbedingt gewinnen.I really want to win this tournament.
- SarahDu wirst es sicher gewinnen, mein Schatz.You will surely win it, sweetheart.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “win” translations and entries gewinnen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries gewinnen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
