German word

bekräftigen

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈkʁɛftɪgən/

Meaning

  • verbreaffirm

Example

Der Chef bekräftigte seine Entscheidung.

The boss reaffirmed his decision.

Illustration for bekräftigen (reaffirm)

More examples

Im Gespräch bekräftigte sie ihre Meinung.

In the conversation, she reaffirmed her opinion.

Core concept

A speaker places fresh weight behind an earlier decision, making it stand firm.

Common phrases

  • etwas bekräftigen

    reaffirm something

  • seine Meinung bekräftigen

    reaffirm one's opinion

Similar words

bestätigen: Acknowledge clearly or officially that information or a judgment is correct.
versichern: Promise verbally that something is safe or justified to ease someone's concerns.
betonen: Stress a particular point strongly so that it receives attention.
unterstreichen: Make an important point especially clear through words or written presentation.

Definition in German

Durch Worte oder Handlungen ausdrücken, dass eine frühere Aussage oder Entscheidung weiterhin gilt oder unterstützt wird.

Word origin

Bekräftigen is formed with the prefix be- from kräftig, "strong", and developed from the idea of making something strong to confirming or supporting it.

Usage tips

  • Bekräftigen normally takes an accusative object, as in "seine Entscheidung bekräftigen", and has a formal, institutional tone.

Other meanings

  • supportverb
  • emphasizeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Bekräftigungreaffirmationnoun
  • bekräftigendreaffirmingadjective

Word lists with this word