Wahrheit
/ˈvaːɐ̯.haɪ̯t/feminine
The English word "truth" is translated into German as Wahrheit.
Wahrheit refers to conformity to fact or reality. When using the common idiom "to tell the truth," German uses the verb sagen (to say) rather than erzählen (to tell), resulting in the expression die Wahrheit sagen.
Meaning: conformity to fact or reality (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The noun Wahrheit is formed from the adjective wahr (true) and the suffix -heit, which is used to turn adjectives into abstract feminine nouns.
How does it change in a sentence?
Wahrheit is a feminine noun. In the nominative case, it always takes the feminine article die. The plural form of the word is Wahrheiten.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈvaːɐ̯.haɪ̯t/. It has 2 syllables, with the stress on the 1st syllable.
Did you know?
- The adjective wahr shares a common ancestor with the English word 'very', stemming from the same Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'true' or 'real'.
- In German philosophy, particularly in the works of Martin Heidegger, Wahrheit is often linked to Aletheia, the Greek concept of 'unconcealment' or 'uncovering'.
- German has a specific word Wahrnehmung for 'perception', which literally translates to 'taking-in of the truth'.
Examples in context
- Was ist die Wahrheit?What is the truth?The first sentence is useful for asking what the truth is.Tatoeba #1827759 by Tamy, translation #1818291 by AsliAbbasi
- Sag mir die Wahrheit!Tell me the truth.The second sentence is useful for commanding someone to tell the truth.Tatoeba #1827761 by Tamy, translation #321441 by CK
- Ist das die Wahrheit?Is that the truth?The third sentence is useful for questioning if something is the truth.Tatoeba #3026841 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2648504 by CK
- Die Wahrheit ist unausweichlich.The truth is unavoidable.
- Stimmt das? Ja, das ist wahr.Is that true? Yes, that's true.
- Ich habe das gestern gemacht. – Ja, stimmt!I did that yesterday. – Yes, that's true!
- Die Aussage des Zeugen entspricht der Wahrheit.The testimony of the witness corresponds to the truth.
- Das ist echt wahr, ich habe es selbst gesehen!That's really true, I saw it myself!
- In Wirklichkeit wissen wir nicht, was passieren wird.In truth, we don't know what will happen.
- Stimmt, das ist die Wahrheit, also mach dir keine Sorgen!You're right, that's the truth, so don't worry!
- 1220 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are discussing a historical document.
- LukasWir suchen die Wahrheit in den Dokumenten.We are looking for the truth in the documents.
- JuliaDie Wahrheit ist oft sehr kompliziert.The truth is often very complicated.
- LukasStimmt, aber sie ist wichtig für uns.True, but it is important for us.
- JuliaLukas, wir müssen die Wahrheit finden.Lukas, we must find the truth.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “truth” translations and entries Wahrheit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Wahrheit, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
