gestehen
/ɡəˈʃteːən/
The English verb 'confess' can be translated into German as gestehen. Wiktionary also lists bekennen and verraten.
Meaning: to admit to the truth (verb)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| gestehen | /ɡəˈʃteːən/ |
| bekennen | [bəˈkɛnən] (Germany, narrow) [b̥eˈkɛnɛn] (Austria, narrow) |
| verraten | [fɛɐ̯ˈʁaːtn̩] (narrow) [fɛɐ̯ˈʁaːtən] (narrow) |
To confess means to admit to the truth. In German, different verbs are used depending on whether you are admitting to a crime, a mistake or the act of revealing information that was meant to be kept secret.
Which one should you use?
gestehen is the standard term used when admitting to a crime, a mistake or a specific secret truth. In contrast, verraten is used when the act of confessing involves betraying a person or revealing a secret to someone who shouldn't know it.
How does it change in a sentence?
The third person singular present form of gestehen is gesteht, and its past participle is gestanden.
How do you pronounce it?
/ɡəˈʃteːən/
Did you know?
- While English uses 'confess' for both religious and criminal contexts, a German speaker would use gestehen for a crime but bekennen for a religious confession, such as in a church.
- The word gestehen is built from the verb stehen, which means 'to stand'. Literally, to confess in German is like 'standing by' a truth.
- The word gestehen is also used in the phrase sich jemandem zu etwas gestehen, which can be used to admit a romantic feeling or a secret crush.
Examples in context
- Tom wird nicht gestehen.Tom won't confess.This sentence illustrates a refusal to use gestehen.Tatoeba #6625126 by Felixjp, translation #6440546 by CK
- Hast du sonst noch etwas zu gestehen?Do you have anything else to confess?This sentence asks if there is more to gestehen.Tatoeba #12744584 by Waldelfe, translation #11473392 by CK
- Anne weigerte sich beharrlich zu gestehen.Anne steadfastly refused to confess.This sentence describes a steadfast refusal to gestehen.Tatoeba #6206012 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #5827336 by Hybrid
- Ich muss etwas gestehen: Ich habe einen Fehler gemacht.I have to confess something: I made a mistake.
- Ich muss zugeben: Ich habe das Geld von meinem Bruder genommen.I have to confess: I took the money from my brother.
- 9 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia finds a broken vase in the living room.
- JuliaHast du die Vase kaputt gemacht?Did you break the vase?
- JulianIch muss es jetzt endlich gestehen.I have to finally confess it now.
- JuliaIch wusste es schon genau!I knew it all along!
- JulianEs war ein totaler Unfall, Julia.It was a total accident, Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “confess” translations and entries gestehen, bekennen, verraten, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bekennen, gestehen, verraten, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
