German word

erklären

Pronunciation

IPA/ɛɐ̯ˈklɛːʁən/

Meaning

  • verbexplain

Example

Ich erkläre dir das kurz.

I'll briefly explain it to you.

Illustration for erklären (explain)

More examples

Kannst du mir den Unterschied erklären?

Can you explain the difference to me?

Core concept

A listener receives the missing links between facts and reasons until the matter is clear, while a speaker can also make a formal pronouncement.

Common phrases

  • das Problem erklären

    explain the problem

  • den Unterschied erklären

    explain the difference

Similar words

erzählen: Tell events or a story in sequence so another person can follow them.
sagen: Put a key point or thought into words for another person.
beschreiben: Give a detailed account of an object's features, shape, or appearance.
zeigen: Use an object or action to make something visibly clear.

Definition in German

durch Worte einen Sachverhalt so darstellen, dass andere ihn verstehen; außerdem etwas offiziell erklären

Word origin

Klären comes from klar, ultimately related to Latin clarus 'clear', while er- forms the verb erklären.

Usage tips

  • The usual pattern is jemandem etwas erklären, with the person in the dative and the matter in the accusative.

Other meanings

  • clarifyverb
  • declareverb

Opposites

Related words

  • Erklärungexplanationnoun
  • erklärbarexplainableadjective

Word lists with this word