German word

ergeben

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈgeːbən/

Meaning

  • verbreveal

Example

Die Untersuchung ergab neue Hinweise.

The investigation revealed new clues.

Illustration for ergeben (reveal)

More examples

Im Gespräch ergibt sich, dass sie aus Deutschland kommt.

During the conversation, it emerges that she is from Germany.

Core concept

Giving something out makes an outcome available; giving oneself over leads to surrender or devoted loyalty.

Common phrases

  • sich ergeben

    prove to be

  • ergibt sich aus

    emerge from

  • Daraus ergibt sich

    it follows from this

Similar words

herauskommen: Become known when hidden facts or information emerge.
herausfinden: Find an answer or cause by following clues.
feststellen: Confirm a fact or condition through evidence or testing.
entdecken: Find a previously unnoticed fact or object.

Definition in German

Drückt aus, dass durch Untersuchung oder Messung etwas als Ergebnis zutage tritt.

Word origin

Ergeben is built from geben, 'give', with the prefix er-, and its related meanings extend from producing a result to surrendering or being devoted.

Usage tips

  • The result sense normally takes an accusative object, as in Die Untersuchung ergab neue Hinweise, while sich ergeben is the separate reflexive surrender construction.

Other meanings

  • yieldverb
  • surrenderverb
  • devotedadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word