Wägen

Wägen is a German verb with two primary meanings. In the physical sense, it means to determine the mass of an object by using a scale or balance. In this sense the action is common in cooking, chemistry, pharmacy, and logistics, where precise amounts are required. For example, a cook might say, “Ich wäge die Zutaten ab,” meaning that the ingredients are being weighed before proceeding. In laboratories or wholesale contexts, technicians may “wägen” substances to ensure accuracy of measurements.

In the figurative sense, wägen also means to balance or evaluate options, risks, or outcomes. This usage is often expanded with the prefix ab- to form abwägen, meaning to weigh up or to carefully consider. Typical phrases include “die Vor- und Nachteile abwägen” (to weigh up the pros and cons) and “eine Kosten-Nutzen-Abwägung.” This sense is common in decision making, policy discussions, and legal or ethical analysis.

Etymology and related terms: wägen derives from Old High German wagan, related to the English weigh and the Dutch wegen. The noun form Waage refers to the measuring instrument (scale), and Gewicht denotes weight. Synonyms for the figurative sense include erwägen, prüfen, among others.

Usage notes: wägen is a regular verb in everyday speech for the physical sense, and it participates in the separable-prefix verb abwägen for the evaluative sense. Both senses are widely understood in formal and informal contexts.