erkennen
to recognize
To identify someone or something with the senses, usually the eyes, because you already know him, her, or it.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe dich sofort an deiner Stimme erkannt.
I recognized you immediately by your voice.
erkennen
to recognize / realize
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Meanings
erkennen
to realize
To understand and grasp a fact, problem, or truth. It describes a mental process of understanding.
EXAMPLE
Er erkannte, dass er einen großen Fehler gemacht hatte.
He realized that he had made a big mistake.
erkennen
to make out
To perceive or make out something with the senses, often only unclearly or with difficulty.
EXAMPLE
Im Nebel konnte man kaum die Straße erkennen.
In the fog, you could hardly make out the road.
zu erkennen geben
to make clear
To hint at or show one's thoughts, feelings, or intentions, often nonverbally.
EXAMPLE
Sie gab deutlich zu erkennen, dass sie mit dem Vorschlag nicht einverstanden war.
She clearly made it known that she did not agree with the proposal.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Erkennen' (to recognize / realize) is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'er-'. This prefix often points to the result of a process: you try to see or understand and are successful in the end.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe erst spät erkannt, wie wichtig diese Entscheidung war.
Only later did I realize how important this decision was.
Identifying with 'an'
When you identify someone or something by means of a feature, you use the preposition 'an' followed by the dative. This is a very fixed structure.
EXAMPLE
Ich erkenne ihn an seinem Lachen.
I recognize him by his laugh.
Understanding with subordinate clause
When 'erkennen' (to realize) means 'verstehen' (to understand) or 'realisieren' (to realize), it is often followed by a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) or an infinitive construction with 'zu' (to).
EXAMPLE
Sie erkannte, dass sie Hilfe brauchte.
She realized that she needed help.
Context clue: perception
In the meaning 'etwas undeutlich sehen' (to see something unclearly), 'erkennen' (to make out) is often combined with words that describe difficulty, such as 'kaum' (hardly), 'schwer' (difficult), 'im Dunkeln' (in the dark), or 'aus der Ferne' (from a distance).
EXAMPLE
Wegen des dichten Schneefalls konnte ich das Schild kaum erkennen.
Because of the heavy snowfall, I could hardly make out the sign.
Fixed expression
The expression 'zu erkennen geben' (to make known / make clear) is a fixed unit. It means that you show your opinion or feelings indirectly. The person to whom something is shown is in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Er gab ihr deutlich zu erkennen, dass er müde war.
He clearly made it known to her that he was tired.
Compare with
entdeckenunterscheidenfeststellenmerkenbemerkenerfassenanerkennenwahrnehmenidentifizierenrealisierenausmacheneinsehendiagnostizierendurchschauenwiedererkennen
erkennen vs entdecken
to discover
Both words fit when a crack that had previously gone unnoticed becomes visible. If you notice or discover it, entdecken emphasizes finding a hidden or sought-after detail, while erkennen focuses more on perceiving the crack as such. entdecken fits a new discovery, while erkennen fits visual perception.
erkennen
Im hellen Licht konnte ich den feinen Riss an der Tasse erkennen.
In the bright light, I could make out the fine crack in the cup.
entdecken
Beim Abwaschen entdeckte ich den feinen Riss an der Tasse.
I discovered the fine crack in the cup while washing it.
In real life
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