German word

trauen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈtʁaʊ̯ən/

Meaning

  • verbtrust

Example

Ich traue meiner Freundin.

I trust my girlfriend.

Illustration for trauen (trust)

More examples

Man kann einer gut belegten Aussage trauen.

One can trust a well-supported statement.

Core concept

A person relies on a steady support and steps forward without holding back.

Common phrases

  • jemandem trauen

    trust someone

  • einer Aussage trauen

    trust a statement

  • sich trauen, Kritik zu äußern

    dare to voice criticism

Similar words

vertrauen: To depend on someone or something with confidence.
glauben: To regard something as true.
sich trauen: To summon the courage to do something.
anvertrauen: To give a secret or valued item to someone for safekeeping.

Definition in German

Einer Person oder Sache vertrauen und sich auf ihre Zuverlässigkeit verlassen; in der reflexiven Form 'sich trauen' den Mut haben, etwas zu wagen

Word origin

Trauen descends from Old High German trūēn and is related to treu, with the reflexive sense later extending from confidence to willingness to risk an action.

Usage tips

  • With a person, trauen takes the dative in jemandem trauen, while sich trauen introduces a daring action, often with zu and an infinitive.

Other meanings

  • dareverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word