beweisen
to prove
To demonstrate the correctness or truth of a statement or situation with facts, arguments, or evidence.
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte konnte seine Unschuld vor Gericht beweisen.
The defendant was able to prove his innocence in court.
beweisen
to prove
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Meanings
beweisen
to prove
To show or demonstrate a particular ability, quality, or feeling through an action.
EXAMPLE
Mit diesem Tor hat der Stürmer einmal mehr seine Klasse bewiesen.
With this goal, the striker once again proved his class.
sich beweisen
to prove oneself
To show that one is capable of meeting the demands of a situation or has certain abilities.
EXAMPLE
Als neue Teamleiterin musste sie sich erst vor den Kollegen beweisen.
As the new team leader, she first had to prove herself to her colleagues.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'beweisen' (to prove) is inseparable. The prefix 'be-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem 'weisen' in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Sie beweist immer wieder ihren Mut.
She proves her courage again and again.
Sentence structure with dative
'Beweisen' (to prove) is very often used with a person in the dative and a thing in the accusative. The structure is: jemand (subject) beweist jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative).
EXAMPLE
Der Anwalt konnte dem Richter die Unschuld seines Mandanten beweisen.
The lawyer was able to prove his client's innocence to the judge.
Typical collocations
In the context of facts and truth, 'beweisen' (to prove) is often combined with legal or scientific nouns. Typical examples are: 'die Unschuld beweisen' (to prove innocence), 'das Gegenteil beweisen' (to prove the opposite), or 'eine Hypothese beweisen' (to prove a hypothesis).
EXAMPLE
Mit diesem Experiment wollen die Forscher ihre Hypothese beweisen.
With this experiment, the researchers want to prove their hypothesis.
Showing qualities
When the point is to demonstrate a quality, 'beweisen' (to prove) is often used with abstract nouns such as Mut (courage), Stärke (strength), Talent (talent), or Geduld (patience).
EXAMPLE
In der schwierigen Situation hat sie echte Stärke bewiesen.
In the difficult situation, she proved real strength.
Reflexive use
The reflexive form 'sich beweisen' (to prove oneself) means to demonstrate one's own abilities. The reflexive pronoun 'sich' is adapted to the person (ich muss mich beweisen, du musst dich beweisen).
EXAMPLE
Im neuen Job musste er sich von Anfang an beweisen.
In the new job, he had to prove himself from the very beginning.
Compare with
beweisen vs zeigen
to show
Data or indications can show something without ruling out every doubt. Beweisen (to prove) is appropriate only when facts, arguments, or evidence conclusively confirm the truth of a statement. So use zeigen for a discernible tendency and beweisen for conclusive proof.
beweisen
Die eindeutigen Ergebnisse beweisen den Zusammenhang zwischen Schlaf und Konzentration.
The conclusive results prove the link between sleep and concentration.
zeigen
Die bisherigen Daten zeigen einen möglichen Zusammenhang zwischen Schlaf und Konzentration.
The data collected so far show a possible link between sleep and concentration.
In real life
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