to confront
Loading your saved state.
to confront someone with something
To bring someone directly into contact with an unpleasant fact, problem, or accusation so that they have to deal with it.
Der Detektiv konfrontierte den Verdächtigen mit den erdrückenden Beweisen.
The detective confronted the suspect with the overwhelming evidence.
to be confronted with
To face a challenge, a problem, or a new situation.
Durch die Digitalisierung sind viele Unternehmen mit völlig neuen Aufgaben konfrontiert.
Because of digitalization, many companies are confronted with completely new tasks.
The verb can be derived from 'kon-' (Latin for 'with') and 'Front' (front). So it literally means bringing someone into contact 'with the front,' that is, forcing a direct confrontation.
Sie wollte ihn nicht direkt mit dem Problem konfrontieren.
She did not want to confront him directly with the problem.
There are two central grammatical patterns: In an active sentence, you confront 'jemanden (Akkusativ) mit etwas (Dativ)' (someone with something). In the passive or as a state, you are 'mit etwas (Dativ) konfrontiert' (confronted with something).
Die Chefin konfrontierte den Mitarbeiter mit den schlechten Ergebnissen.
The boss confronted the employee with the poor results.
'Konfrontieren' (to confront) is a rather formal word. It is used in serious situations, discussions, or written language, but rarely in casual everyday conversation.
Im politischen Interview wurde der Minister mit seinen alten Versprechen konfrontiert.
In the political interview, the minister was confronted with his old promises.
You typically confront someone with abstract, often unpleasant things. Common combinations are 'mit der Wahrheit konfrontieren' (to confront someone with the truth), 'mit den Fakten konfrontieren' (to confront someone with the facts), or 'mit einem Vorwurf konfrontieren' (to confront someone with an accusation).
Es war an der Zeit, ihn mit der Wahrheit zu konfrontieren.
It was time to confront him with the truth.
to address / appeal to
Both verbs work when a problem is brought up. “Ansprechen” usually introduces the topic neutrally and leaves open how extensively it will be discussed. “Konfrontieren,” on the other hand, directly confronts someone with an unpleasant fact or an accusation. For a normal conversation, use “ansprechen”; for a forced confrontation, use “konfrontieren.”
Im Gespräch konfrontierte die Teamleiterin den Lieferanten mit den verspäteten Lieferungen.
During the conversation, the team leader confronted the supplier with the late deliveries.
Im Gespräch sprach die Teamleiterin das Problem der verspäteten Lieferungen an.
During the conversation, the team leader brought up the problem of the late deliveries.
