verbergen

/fɛɐ̯ˈbɛʁɡn̩/
to hide

Sie versuchte, ihre wahren Gefühle zu verbergen.

She tried to hide her true feelings.


neutral

to hide or conceal something or someone from view or knowledge

Er verbarg die Waffe unter seinem Mantel.

He hid the weapon under his coat.

Sie verbarg ihre Tränen vor den anderen.

She concealed her tears from the others.

Commonly used with reflexive pronouns (sich verbergen) to mean 'to hide oneself'.

neutral

to keep secret or suppress information

Er verbergte die Wahrheit vor seiner Familie.

He kept the truth from his family.

Often used in contexts involving deception or privacy.

Collocations

sich verbergento hide oneselfetwas vor jemandem verbergento hide something from someonedie Wahrheit verbergento hide the truth

Related Phrases

Pro Tip

Separable Verb Tip

Remember that 'verbergen' is separable. In past tense or subordinate clauses, the prefix 'ver-' splits off: 'Er hat es verborgen.' (He hid it.)

Gold Rule

Usage Context

Use 'verbergen' for physical hiding or concealing information. For emotional concealment (e.g., feelings), 'verbergen' is more common than 'verstecken'.

Word Origin

From Middle High German 'verbergen', from Old High German 'firbergen', from Proto-Germanic '*fer-berganą' (to hide), from '*fer-' (away) + '*berganą' (to protect). Cognate with English 'bury'.

Usage Notes

Verbergen is a separable verb (trennbar), so in main clauses the prefix 'ver-' moves to the end of the sentence: 'Er verbarg das Buch.' (He hid the book.)

Word Breakdown

ver-
prefix indicating completion or intensification
prefix
+
bergen
to protect, save, or hide
root
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