gestehen
to confess
To admit to an act, a mistake, or guilt. It is mostly used in the context of crimes or moral wrongdoing.
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte hat den Diebstahl gestanden.
The defendant confessed to the theft.
gestehen
to confess
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Meanings
jemandem etwas gestehen
to confess something to someone
To reveal a secret or a feeling to someone, especially one's love.
EXAMPLE
Nach langem Zögern hat er ihr seine Liebe gestanden.
After hesitating for a long time, he confessed his love to her.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
The verb 'gestehen' (to confess) is inseparable. The prefix 'ge-' is part of the verb stem here and is not separated from the rest of the verb in any sentence form.
EXAMPLE
Er gestand den Fehler sofort.
He confessed the mistake immediately.
Typical collocations
When it is about admitting guilt, 'gestehen' (to confess) is often combined with nouns such as 'die Tat' (the act), 'der Fehler' (the mistake), 'das Verbrechen' (the crime), or the word 'alles' (everything).
EXAMPLE
Der Angeklagte weigerte sich, das Verbrechen zu gestehen.
The defendant refused to confess to the crime.
Dative construction
When you confess something to a person, that person is in the dative. The pattern is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) gestehen.
EXAMPLE
Er hat seinem besten Freund gestanden, dass er Hilfe braucht.
He confessed to his best friend that he needed help.
Context: feelings and secrets
In this meaning, 'gestehen' (to confess) is used to reveal very personal things. Typical combinations are 'jemandem seine Liebe gestehen' (to confess one's love to someone) or 'jemandem ein Geheimnis gestehen' (to confess a secret to someone).
EXAMPLE
Es fiel ihm schwer, ihr seine wahren Gefühle zu gestehen.
It was difficult for him to confess his true feelings to her.
Compare with
gestehen vs singen
to sing
Both words can refer to admitting to a crime. „Gestehen“ is the neutral and direct term for making a confession, while „singen“ sounds colloquial and often suggests that someone gives in during questioning and may implicate others. „Gestehen“ is suitable for a factual statement, while „singen“ can be used in informal speech.
gestehen
Nach mehreren Stunden Verhör gestand der Verdächtige die Tat.
After several hours of questioning, the suspect confessed to the crime.
singen
Nach mehreren Stunden Verhör begann der Verdächtige zu singen und nannte die Namen seiner Komplizen.
After several hours of questioning, the suspect started singing and named his accomplices.
In real life
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