aware
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to be aware of something
To be aware of something or recognize it clearly. This expression is formal and is usually used with the genitive.
Er war sich der großen Verantwortung gewahr.
He was aware of the great responsibility.
to become aware of something
To notice something or become aware of something. This expression is formal and is usually used with the genitive.
Er wurde erst später der Gefahr gewahr.
It was only later that he became aware of the danger.
| basic form | gewahr |
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'Gewahr' (aware) is used in Standard German almost exclusively in the fixed expressions 'sich einer Sache gewahr sein' (to be aware of something) and 'einer Sache gewahr werden' (to become aware of something). The thing recognized is usually in the genitive.
Die Zeugin war sich der Bedeutung ihrer Aussage gewahr.
The witness was aware of the significance of her statement.
In 'sich einer Sache gewahr sein' (to be aware of something), 'gewahr' describes an already existing state of awareness. The thing recognized is typically in the genitive.
Nach dem Gespräch war er sich der möglichen Folgen gewahr.
After the conversation, he was aware of the possible consequences.
In 'einer Sache gewahr werden' (to become aware of something), 'werden' indicates a transition to a new state of awareness. Time expressions such as 'erst später' (only later) or 'allmählich' (gradually) therefore often go with this construction.
Erst allmählich wurde sie der Schwierigkeit der Aufgabe gewahr.
Only gradually did she become aware of the difficulty of the task.
