German word

belehren

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈleːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbinstruct

Example

Die Lehrerin belehrt die Schüler.

The teacher instructs the students.

Illustration for belehren (instruct)

More examples

Der Anwalt belehrte ihn über die Risiken.

The lawyer instructed him about the risks.

Core concept

An authority figure gives someone knowledge while correcting a mistake or improper behavior.

Common phrases

  • jemanden über etwas belehren

    instruct someone about something

  • sich von jemandem belehren lassen

    let oneself be instructed by someone

Similar words

erklären: Clarify a difficult idea or show how a process works.
informieren: Pass on relevant facts or information to someone.
unterrichten: Give structured teaching that builds knowledge or practical skills.
korrigieren: Identify a mistake and put it right.

Definition in German

jemanden direkt unterrichten oder auf richtiges Verhalten hinweisen

Word origin

The verb is a German formation from be- and the inherited Germanic verb lehren, 'to teach', from Old High German lēran.

Usage tips

  • Belehren can sound corrective or lecturing, so erklären or informieren often fits a neutral act of explaining better.

Other meanings

  • adviseverb
  • lectureverb

Opposites

  • irreführenmisleadverb

Related words

  • Belehrunginstructionnoun
  • belehrbarteachableadjective

Word lists with this word