01
bejahen
to affirm
To agree with something, approve of it, or have a positive attitude toward it.
example
Er bejaht die neuen Reformen, weil er sie für notwendig hält.
He affirms the new reforms because he considers them necessary.
bejahen
to affirm
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Word structure
'Bejahen' (to affirm) is a verb derived directly from the word 'ja' (yes). It literally means to 'say yes' to something or to mark something with 'yes'.
EXAMPLE
Sie bejahte seine Einladung zum Abendessen.
She accepted his invitation to dinner.
Inseparable verb
Like most verbs with the prefix 'be-', 'bejahen' (to affirm) is inseparable. The prefix remains firmly attached to the stem in all sentence forms.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe seine Frage sofort bejaht.
I immediately answered his question with yes.
Typical collocations
In the meaning 'to agree with' or 'to affirm', 'bejahen' is often used with abstract concepts, e.g. 'das Leben bejahen' (to affirm life), 'eine Veränderung bejahen' (to approve of a change), or 'ein Prinzip bejahen' (to affirm a principle).
EXAMPLE
Er ist ein Mensch, der das Leben in all seinen Facetten bejaht.
He is a person who affirms life in all its facets.
Context clue
When 'bejahen' (to affirm) refers to a question, it means 'to answer yes'. When it refers to a concept or idea, it means 'to approve of' or 'to have a positive attitude toward it'.
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte bejahte die Frage, ob er am Tatort war.
The defendant answered yes to the question of whether he was at the crime scene.
Formal usage
To 'bejahen' (answer yes to) a question is a very formal expression. You mainly find it in written language, in minutes, in court, or in official reports.
EXAMPLE
Auf Nachfrage bejahte die Ministerin die Pläne für eine Steuererhöhung.
When asked, the minister answered yes regarding the plans for a tax increase.
Compare with
bejahen vs bestätigen
to confirm
'bestätigen' and 'bejahen' can both express a positive answer or agreement. 'bejahen' means that you say yes to a question or to something. It sounds rather formal. 'bestätigen' goes further: you are not just saying yes, but declaring something to be correct, true, or valid. That is why you confirm an appointment or a piece of information, for example. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in answers. As a simple guide: you can 'bejahen' a question; you 'bestätigen' a piece of information or an appointment.
bejahen
Im Formular bejahen wir die Frage nach einer gültigen Versicherung.
In the form, we answer yes to the question about valid insurance.
bestätigen
Können Sie mir bitte den Termin beim Arzt bestätigen?
Could you please confirm my doctor's appointment for me?
In real life
Loading video examples...