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
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Meanings
bejahen
to answer yes
To answer a question with 'yes'. This is a more formal way of expressing it.
EXAMPLE
Auf die Frage, ob er anwesend war, bejahte der Zeuge.
When asked whether he was present, the witness answered yes.
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 means stating that information is correct or valid. Bejahen, on the other hand, means answering a question with yes. When the content of a statement is at issue, bestätigen is appropriate; when the positive answer to a question is the focus, the more formal bejahen is appropriate.
bejahen
Die Zeugin bejahte die Frage, ob sie den Mann am Bahnhof gesehen hatte.
The witness answered yes to the question of whether she had seen the man at the train station.
bestätigen
Die Zeugin bestätigte, dass sie den Mann am Bahnhof gesehen hatte.
The witness confirmed that she had seen the man at the train station.
In real life
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