erklären
to explain
To make a situation understandable to someone or explain how something works.
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer erklärt den Schülern die mathematische Formel.
The teacher explains the mathematical formula to the students.
erklären
to explain / declare
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
erklären
to declare
To announce something officially or solemnly; to make a formal statement.
EXAMPLE
Die Politikerin erklärte ihren Rücktritt aus allen Ämtern.
The politician declared her resignation from all offices.
sich erklären
to be explained
Used reflexively to express that something has a reason or becomes understandable.
EXAMPLE
Sein plötzlicher Ärger erklärt sich durch den großen Stress, den er gerade hat.
His sudden anger is explained by the great stress he is currently under.
für ... erklären
to declare ...
To officially assign a certain status or quality to someone or something.
EXAMPLE
Nach langer Diskussion wurde die Sitzung für beendet erklärt.
After a long discussion, the meeting was declared over.
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb consists of the prefix 'er-' and the verb 'klären' (to clarify/make clear). The prefix 'er-' often expresses the achievement of a goal or result. 'Erklären' (to explain/declare) therefore means creating the result of clarity.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie diesen Punkt bitte noch einmal klären?
Could you please clarify this point once more?
Inseparable verb
'Erklären' (to explain/declare) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'er-' remains firmly attached to the verb stem in all tenses and sentence constructions.
EXAMPLE
Er erklärte mir geduldig den Weg.
He patiently explained the way to me.
Dative construction
When you explain something to someone, the person is in the dative and the thing is in the accusative. The pattern is: 'jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) erklären' (to explain something to someone).
EXAMPLE
Ich erkläre dir die Regeln des Spiels.
I am explaining the rules of the game to you.
Context clue
This meaning is used in formal and official contexts such as politics, law, or business. The object is often an abstract noun, e.g., 'den Krieg erklären' (to declare war), 'seine Absicht erklären' (to declare one's intention), or 'den Notstand erklären' (to declare a state of emergency).
EXAMPLE
Das Land erklärte seinem Nachbarn den Krieg.
The country declared war on its neighbor.
Reflexive use
In the reflexive form 'sich erklären' (to be explained), the logical puzzle or phenomenon is the subject of the sentence. The reason is often introduced with the preposition 'durch' (by/through).
EXAMPLE
Sein seltsames Verhalten erklärt sich durch seine Müdigkeit.
His strange behavior is explained by his tiredness.
Fixed preposition
In this meaning, the preposition 'für' is always used, followed by an adjective or participle. The structure is: 'jemanden/etwas für ... erklären' (to declare someone/something ...).
EXAMPLE
Der Richter erklärte den Angeklagten für schuldig.
The judge declared the defendant guilty.
Compare with
begründenklärenerläuternverkündenaufklärenverdeutlichenausrufenbelehrendeklarierenbekundenklarstellenklarmachen
erklären vs begründen
to justify / establish
Erklären and begründen both make a connection understandable and can both be used when discussing a decision. Erklären can present the process or cause objectively, while begründen explicitly gives the reasons for a statement or action. Use erklären for a neutral explanation of a cause, and begründen more for a justification.
erklären
Die Ärztin erklärt, warum die Behandlung heute länger dauert.
The doctor explains why the treatment is taking longer today.
begründen
Die Ärztin begründet, warum sie diese Behandlung heute empfiehlt.
The doctor justifies why she recommends this treatment today.
In real life
Loading video examples...