to profess / confess
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to profess allegiance to
To publicly and openly declare one's support, affiliation, or conviction for a person, idea, or group.
Der Künstler bekannte sich öffentlich zu seinem politischen Engagement.
The artist publicly professed his commitment to political activism.
to confess
To admit or confess guilt, a mistake, or a sin. Often used in a legal or religious context.
Vor Gericht bekannte der Angeklagte den Diebstahl.
In court, the defendant confessed to the theft.
to show one's colors
To openly show one's true opinion, intention, or position after perhaps having hidden it before.
Nach langem Zögern musste die Partei in der Debatte endlich Farbe bekennen.
After long hesitation, the party finally had to show its true colors in the debate.
'Bekennen' (to profess/confess) is an inseparable verb because it has the prefix 'be-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb 'kennen' in all sentence forms and tenses and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
Er bekannte seine Schuld vor der ganzen Familie.
He confessed his guilt in front of the whole family.
In this meaning, 'bekennen' (to profess allegiance to) is always used reflexively and with the preposition 'zu' + dative. The structure is: Jemand bekennt sich zu etwas/jemandem (someone professes allegiance to something/someone).
Die Politikerin bekennt sich zu ihrer liberalen Haltung.
The politician professes her commitment to her liberal stance.
When 'bekennen' (to confess) means 'gestehen' (to confess/admit), it is used with an accusative object. The structure is: Jemand bekennt etwas (someone confesses something).
Der Angeklagte bekannte den Einbruch, aber nicht den Diebstahl.
The defendant confessed to the break-in, but not to the theft.
The meaning 'gestehen' (to confess) is used almost exclusively in a legal or religious context. Typical combinations are 'seine Schuld bekennen' (to confess one's guilt) or 'seine Sünden bekennen' (to confess one's sins).
Im Beichtstuhl bekannte sie ihre Sünden.
In the confessional, she confessed her sins.
'Farbe bekennen' (to show one's true colors) is a fixed idiom. It means that someone can or should no longer hide their true opinion or intention.
In der Diskussion über das neue Projekt musste der Chef endlich Farbe bekennen.
In the discussion about the new project, the boss finally had to show his true colors.
to admit / to add
Both verbs can express admitting a mistake. “Zugeben” is usually a matter-of-fact statement, whereas “bekennen” sounds more like a public, solemn, or religious confession. Use “zugeben” in normal conversation and “bekennen” when the admission is especially public or solemn.
Vor der Gemeinde bekannte er, dass er einen schweren Fehler gemacht hatte.
In front of the congregation, he confessed that he had made a serious mistake.
Ich gebe zu, dass ich den Fehler gemacht habe.
I admit that I made the mistake.
