zurückweisen

Zurückweisen is a German verb that translates to "to reject," "to refuse," or "to repel" in English. It is a transitive verb, meaning it requires a direct object. The verb is formed from the prefix "zurück-" meaning "back" or "away" and the verb "weisen" meaning "to show" or "to point." Therefore, the literal meaning can be understood as "to point back" or "to point away."

In common usage, zurückweisen can be applied in various contexts. It can refer to the rejection of an offer, a proposal, or a request. For instance, someone might zurückweisen an invitation to a party. It can also describe the act of refusing to accept something, such as zurückweisen an apology. In a more physical sense, it can mean to repel or push back an attacker or an unwelcome presence. For example, a security guard might zurückweisen a person who is causing a disturbance. The context in which zurückweisen is used clarifies its specific meaning. Its conjugation follows the regular pattern of strong verbs in German.