German word

verraten

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈʁaːtən/

Meaning

  • verbbetray

Example

Er verrät seinen Freund.

He betrays his friend.

Illustration for verraten (betray)

More examples

Sein Lächeln verrät seine Nervosität.

His smile reveals his nervousness.

Core concept

An insider opens a protected door for an outsider, exposing either someone who trusted them or information kept hidden.

Common phrases

  • das Vertrauen verraten

    betray someone's trust

  • jemanden verraten

    betray someone

Similar words

betrügen: To act dishonestly toward someone in financial or romantic matters and deceive them.
hintergehen: To betray someone covertly, damaging the trust placed in them.
ausplaudern: To let a secret or confidential remark become known by talking about it.
verpetzen: To report someone's misdeeds or secrets to others, especially needlessly.

Definition in German

jemanden hintergehen oder eine geheime Information offenbaren, das Wort deckt beide Bedeutungen ab

Word origin

The verb developed from Old High German firratan through Middle High German verraten, combining ver- with raten, an old Germanic verb related to advice.

Usage tips

  • The reflexive form sich verraten means to reveal one's identity or intentions, usually unintentionally.

Other meanings

  • revealverb
  • indicateverb

Opposites

Related words

  • der Verratbetrayalnoun
  • der Verrätertraitornoun

Word lists with this word