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How to Say ‘I am lost.’ in German

Ich habe mich verlaufen.

ikh HAH-buh mikh fair-LOW-fen

[ikh HAH-buh mikh fair-LOW-fen]

💬 Usage Tip: verlaufen means lost on foot. If you got lost driving, say Ich habe mich verfahren.

Phrase Breakdown

Ich habe mich

ikh HAH-buh mikh

I have (myself)

'mich' is reflexive, part of 'sich verlaufen'. Both 'ich' and 'mich' have the soft 'ch'.

Example

Ich habe mich gefreut.

I was pleased.

Words in this phrase

Ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

habe

[HAH-buh]

have

Form of haben meaning you have something or are stating possession.

Example

Ich habe eine Reservierung.

I have a reservation.

mich

[mikh]

myself

A reflexive pronoun used with certain verbs like 'sich bedanken.'

Example

Ich wollte mich für Ihre Zeit bedanken.

I wanted to thank you for your time.

verlaufen.

fair-LOW-fen

gotten lost (on foot)

Past participle. The 'v' sounds like 'f': 'fer-LOW-fen'.

Example

Wir haben uns verlaufen.

We got lost.

Words in this phrase

verlaufen

[fair-LOW-fen]

to get lost

Reflexive verb: to lose one's way on foot.

Example

Im Wald kann man sich leicht verlaufen.

You can easily get lost in the forest.

Guides for German learners

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