Example: Ich habe aus Versehen dein Buch mitgenommen.
Definition
"Aus Versehen" is a German adverbial phrase meaning accidentally or unintentionally, used to describe actions done without deliberate intent, as in the example sentence: "Ich habe aus Versehen dein Buch mitgenommen" (I accidentally took your book).
Translations
by mistake
por error
per vergissing
per error
par erreur
Etymology
The phrase "aus Versehen" combines the preposition "aus" (out of/from) with the noun "Versehen," which means oversight or mistake. Historically, "Versehen" comes from the verb "sehen" (to see), indicating something missed or overlooked. Thus, "aus Versehen" literally means 'out of oversight' or 'by mistake.'
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"Aus Versehen" appears in the Vocaplus list "", containing 105 commonly used expressions.
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by mistake