German word

vertrauen

Pronunciation

IPA/fɛɐ̯ˈtʁaʊ̯ən/

Meaning

  • verbtrust

Example

Du vertraust mir.

You trust me.

Illustration for vertrauen (trust)

More examples

Ich vertraue deiner Erfahrung mehr als dem Internet.

I trust your experience more than the internet.

Core concept

A person leans their full weight on a dependable bridge and uses it to get safely across.

Common phrases

  • jemandem vertrauen

    trust someone

  • auf jemanden vertrauen

    rely on someone

  • seinem Gefühl vertrauen

    trust one's instincts

Similar words

trauen: Have confidence in someone's honesty, judgment, or ability.
sich verlassen auf: Rely on someone or something to act as expected.
auf jemanden zählen: Expect someone's help and depend on it.
anvertrauen: Hand something important or a secret to someone for safekeeping.

Definition in German

jemandem fest vertrauen und auf seine Zuverlässigkeit bauen

Word origin

The verb vertrauen developed from Middle High German vertruwen, formed with ver- and truwen, an older form meaning 'trust' or 'believe'.

Usage tips

  • The verb vertrauen normally takes a dative object, as in jemandem vertrauen, not an accusative object.

Other meanings

  • rely onverb

Opposites

Related words

  • vertrauenswürdigtrustworthyadjective
  • Vertrauensbruchbreach of trustnoun

Word lists with this word