das Ehrenwort
word of honor
A particularly solemn and binding promise in which someone names their honor as a guarantee.
EXAMPLE
Er gab mir sein Ehrenwort, dass er die Wahrheit gesagt hatte.
He gave me his word of honor that he had told the truth.
das Ehrenwort
word of honor
das Ehrenwort, die Ehrenworte
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Meanings
auf Ehrenwort
on my honor
A firm assurance that something is true or that one will keep a promise.
EXAMPLE
Auf Ehrenwort, ich habe von der Sache nichts gewusst.
On my honor, I knew nothing about it.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Ehrenwort, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Ehrenworte |
| genitive | des Ehrenworts |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Ehrenwort | die Ehrenworte |
| accusative | das Ehrenwort | die Ehrenworte |
| dative | dem Ehrenwort | den Ehrenworten |
| genitive | des Ehrenworts des Ehrenwortes | der Ehrenworte |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Compound word
'Ehrenwort' (word of honor) is made up of 'Ehre' (honor) and 'Wort' (word). The compound shows that the given word becomes particularly binding through one's own honor.
EXAMPLE
Er gab mir sein Ehrenwort, niemandem davon zu erzählen.
He gave me his word of honor not to tell anyone about it.
Typical collocations
Verbs such as 'geben' (to give), 'halten' (to keep), and 'brechen' (to break) are especially common with 'Ehrenwort' (word of honor). These combinations show that a word of honor is not only given, but can also be kept or broken.
EXAMPLE
Nach diesem Gespräch hielt er sein Ehrenwort und schwieg.
After this conversation, he kept his word of honor and remained silent.
Fixed assurance
'Auf Ehrenwort' (on my honor) often appears at the beginning of a sentence or as a short assurance on its own. The expression reinforces a statement and makes clear that the speaker stands by its truth.
EXAMPLE
Auf Ehrenwort, ich habe den Brief nicht geöffnet.
On my honor, I didn't open the letter.
In real life
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