zugeben
Er musste zugeben, dass er sich geirrt hatte.
He had to admit that he was wrong.
to admit or confess something, often reluctantly
Ich gebe zu, dass ich einen Fehler gemacht habe.
I admit that I made a mistake.
Sie gab zu, die Wahrheit verschwiegen zu haben.
She admitted to having concealed the truth.
Used when someone acknowledges a fact or mistake, often after initial denial.
to concede or acknowledge something as true
Der Angeklagte gab den Vorwurf zu.
The defendant admitted the accusation.
Common in legal or formal contexts.
Collocations
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Common Mistake: 'zugeben' vs. 'zugeben dass'
'Zugeben' can be used with a direct object (e.g., 'Er gab den Fehler zu') or with 'dass' (e.g., 'Er gab zu, dass er einen Fehler gemacht hatte'). Do not use 'zugeben zu' + infinitive (e.g., 'Er gab zu, einen Fehler gemacht zu haben' is correct, but 'Er gab zu zu machen' is incorrect).
Gold Rule
Formality and Context
'Zugeben' is typically used in formal or serious contexts. In informal speech, 'einräumen' or 'zugeben' may be used interchangeably, but 'zugeben' carries a slightly more reluctant tone.
Word Origin
From Middle High German 'zugēben', from Old High German 'zugēban', combining 'zu' (to) and 'gēban' (to give), originally meaning 'to yield' or 'to grant'. Related to English 'give'.
Usage Notes
Used in both spoken and written German, often in contexts where someone is hesitant or reluctant to acknowledge something. The past participle 'zugegeben' can function as an adverb meaning 'admittedly' (e.g., 'Zugegeben, es war ein Fehler' = 'Admittedly, it was a mistake').