Translation of German word "erkennen" to English
erkennen
/ɛʁˈkɛnən/
Meaning
VerbTo match (something or someone which one currently perceives) to a memory of some previous encounter with the same person or thing.
How to use
The mixed verb erkennen ('to recognize / realize / detect') has the non-separable prefix er- and conjugates: erkennt, erkannte, hat erkannt. Note: the source translation is 'to acknowledge' (признать), but its primary meaning is 'to recognize / realize / spot'. When expressing 'to recognize someone/something by a specific feature', it requires the preposition an + dative case (Ich erkenne ihn an seiner Stimme — I recognize him by his voice).
🇬🇧 English
to recognize
Example
Ich erkenne mich in diesem Foto nicht wieder.
I do not recognize myself in this photo.
Die Polizei erkennt den Täter nicht wieder.
The police do not recognize the perpetrator.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- erkennen an— to recognize by (requires preposition 'an' + dative)
- die Gefahr erkennen— to recognize / detect the danger
- einen Fehler erkennen— to realize / spot a mistake
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "erkennen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich bin/erkannt
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #240 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "erkennen"?▼
The German word "erkennen" is defined as: "To match (something or someone which one currently perceives) to a memory of some previous encounter with the same person or thing."
What does the German word "erkennen" mean?▼
The German word "erkennen" means "to recognize" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "erkennen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "erkennen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "erkennen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ich erkenne mich selbst nicht wieder." (which translates as "I do not recognize myself in this photo.").
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