German Conversation · Level 188
30 words
German word
beteuern
Pronunciation
IPA/bəˈtɔʏ̯ɐn/
Meaning
- verbassert
Example
Er beteuerte, er sei unschuldig.
He asserted that he was innocent.
More examples
Die Zeugin beteuerte, den Vorfall gesehen zu haben.
The witness asserted that she had seen the incident.
Core concept
A person stands behind a statement with unusual force, as if its truth must be made fully credible.
Common phrases
seine Unschuld beteuern
assert his innocence
immer wieder beteuern
repeatedly assert
öffentlich beteuern
publicly assert
Similar words
behaupten: State something as true, even when clear evidence may be lacking.
versichern: Reassure someone by strongly affirming a fact or promise.
bestreiten: Deny that something happened or that there was any involvement.
bekräftigen: Confirm a previous statement or decision with renewed emphasis.
Definition in German
mit Nachdruck erklären, dass etwas stimmt; oft im Sinne von behaupten oder versichern.
Word origin
The German verb descends from Middle High German betiuren, a form associated with teuer, and came to express emphatic assurance or assertion.
Usage tips
- Beteuern is stronger and more emotionally charged than sagen, while schwören can additionally suggest an oath or solemn pledge.
Other meanings
- emphasizeverb
- swearverb
Opposites
- zugebenadmitverb
- eingestehenconfessverb
Related words
- Beteuerungassertionnoun
- beteuerndemphaticadjective