German word

verborgen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈbɔɐ̯gn̩/

Meaning

  • adjectivehidden

Example

Er fand eine verborgene Tür hinter dem Regal.

He found a hidden door behind the shelf.

Illustration for verborgen (hidden)

More examples

Die verborgenen Gefahren traten erst später zutage.

The hidden dangers only came to light later.

Core concept

A door, fact, or quality lies out of sight behind a surface or beyond public awareness.

Common phrases

  • verborgenen Gefahren

    hidden dangers

  • verborgene Absichten

    hidden intentions

Similar words

unsichtbar: Unable to be seen, whether because of obstruction, distance, or its nature.
heimlich: Done in secret or marked by a private, mysterious atmosphere.

Definition in German

Nicht sichtbar oder nicht offen bekannt; etwas, das sich im Inneren oder hinter etwas befindet und deshalb nicht ins Auge fällt

Word origin

Verborgen is the past participle of verbergen, a prefixed form of the inherited Germanic verb bergen, whose older sense involved protecting or concealing.

Usage tips

  • Verborgen often suits formal or figurative contexts, while versteckt is frequently more natural for a physically concealed object.

Other meanings

  • secretadjective

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word