German word

entdecken

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛntˈdɛkən/

Meaning

  • verbdiscover

Example

Ich entdeckte gestern ein neues Café in der Stadt.

I discovered a new café in the city yesterday.

Illustration for entdecken (discover)

More examples

In der Bibliothek kann man oft neue Ideen entdecken.

In the library, one can often discover new ideas.

Core concept

A cover lifts and something previously hidden comes into view, whether it is a place, a fact, or a talent.

Common phrases

  • etwas entdecken

    discover something

  • einen Fehler entdecken

    discover an error

Similar words

finden: To locate or come across a person or thing.
herausfinden: To learn information or an answer through investigation.
bemerken: To become aware of a change or sign through the senses.
feststellen: To verify and confirm a fact or condition.

Definition in German

Etwas, das vorher unbekannt oder verborgen war, finden oder ans Licht bringen.

Word origin

Entdecken combines the separative prefix ent- with decken, 'to cover', and developed from the sense of uncovering something hidden.

Usage tips

  • Entdecken takes an accusative object, as in 'ein neues Café', and often suggests finding something for the first time rather than merely spotting it.

Other meanings

  • findverb
  • noticeverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Entdeckungdiscoverynoun
  • Entdeckerdiscoverernoun
  • entdeckbardiscoverableadjective

Word lists with this word