What does “verzichten” mean in German?

Verzichten means to give something up or do without it. Often it’s a clear, chosen decision to pass on something — but it can also mean you simply have to do without, whether you like it or not. You will often hear it paired with auf — the thing you are giving up comes right after: auf den Urlaub verzichten (skip the holiday), auf Fleisch verzichten (go without meat).

“Ich brauche Internet und ich bewege mich bei Social Media und darauf würde ich auch nicht verzichten wollen.” — “I need the internet, and I’m active on social media, and I wouldn’t want to give that up either.” In this clip, a woman who lives like it’s the 1960s admits she cannot do without her smartphone — and would not want to give up social media. So even someone who loves old things draws a line. That contrast shows verzichten in action — here it’s clearly her own choice. The thing you go without comes after “auf”: “Ich kann auf mein Smartphone nicht verzichten.” (I can’t do without my smartphone.) “Wir verzichten dieses Jahr auf einen Urlaub.” (We’re skipping a holiday this year.) It can sound like a calm, considered decision, but it can also mean you simply have to do without. “Darauf verzichte ich gern” means “I’m happy to do without that.”