German word

bekennen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈkɛnən/

Meaning

  • verbadmit

Example

Ich bekenne mich schuldig.

I admit that I am guilty.

Illustration for bekennen (admit)

More examples

Sie bekennt offen ihre Meinung.

She openly declares her opinion.

Core concept

A person steps into the open and states a belief, allegiance, or guilt.

Common phrases

  • offen bekennen

    openly confess

  • seine Meinung bekennen

    declare one's opinion

  • jemandem seine Liebe bekennen

    confess one's love to someone

Similar words

sagen: Simply express a thought or fact in words.
zugeben: Reluctantly admit a mistake or fact.
gestehen: Clearly confess to a crime or wrongdoing.
bekunden: Clearly show a feeling or intention through words or actions.

Definition in German

öffentlich eine Überzeugung, Stellung oder Zugehörigkeit erklären

Word origin

The old Germanic verb combines be- with kennen, 'know', and developed from acknowledging something as known to openly admitting or declaring it.

Usage tips

  • The common allegiance pattern is sich zu plus the dative, as in sich zu einer Uberzeugung bekennen.

Other meanings

  • confessverb
  • declareverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word