German Conversation · Level 41
72 words
German word
erkennen
Pronunciation
IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈkɛnən/
Meaning
- verbrecognize
Example
Auf dem Foto kann ich sein Gesicht nicht erkennen.
I can't recognize his face in the photo.
More examples
Ich habe ihn nach zehn Jahren auf der Straße erkannt.
I recognized him on the street after ten years.
Core concept
The mind compares a present face, object, or fact with what it already knows and reaches a clear match.
Common phrases
jemanden wiedererkennen
recognize someone again
einen Fehler erkennen
recognize an error
Similar words
kennen: Be familiar with a person or thing through earlier experience or knowledge.
sehen: Confirm the presence or shape of something by looking at it.
wiedererkennen: Identify a person or thing as the same one seen before.
Definition in German
Etwas in seiner Identität erkennen, indem man es mit innerem Wissen oder Erinnerung abgleicht.
Word origin
Erkennen comes from Old High German irkennen and combines er- with kennen, whose Germanic root also underlies English know.
Usage tips
- The object of erkennen is normally accusative: Sie erkennt ihn means 'She recognizes him', while Sie erkennt ihm is incorrect.