German word

klarmachen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈklaːɐ̯ˌmaxn̩/

Meaning

  • verbmake clear

Example

Ich mache es dir klar.

I'll make it clear to you.

Illustration for klarmachen (make clear)

More examples

Er konnte ihr die Situation nicht klarmachen.

He couldn't make the situation clear to her.

Core concept

A foggy point comes into focus for someone as its parts are explained or shown.

Common phrases

  • jemandem etwas klarmachen

    make something clear to someone

  • sich etwas klarmachen

    make something clear to oneself

Similar words

erklären: Present reasons or workings step by step to make them understandable.
verdeutlichen: Make a difficult point easier to understand through examples or comparisons.
mitteilen: Give someone information or news so they know about it.
aufklären: Clear up questions or misunderstandings by revealing their causes.

Definition in German

durch Beispiele oder Erklärungen dafür sorgen, dass andere etwas verstehen.

Word origin

German klarmachen combines klar, meaning 'clear', with machen, meaning 'make', and thus forms the idea of making something clear.

Usage tips

  • The usual pattern puts the person receiving the explanation in the dative and the matter explained in the accusative, as in jemandem etwas klarmachen.

Other meanings

  • explainverb

Opposites

  • verschleiernobscureverb

Related words

  • Klarheitclaritynoun
  • Klarstellungclarificationnoun

Word lists with this word