to deny
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to deny
To dispute that a fact or situation is true or exists, often despite knowing better.
Obwohl alles gegen ihn sprach, leugnete der Angeklagte seine Beteiligung an der Tat.
Although everything pointed against him, the defendant denied his involvement in the crime.
'Leugnen' (to deny) is a strong word. It often implies that the person is denying something even though they know it is true, or even though the evidence is clear.
Trotz der Videoaufnahmen leugnete er, das Geld genommen zu haben.
Despite the video recordings, he denied having taken the money.
The verb 'leugnen' (to deny) is related to the noun 'die Lüge' (the lie). This connection helps you understand that denying is about saying something untrue about a fact.
Er leugnete die Fakten, aber seine Körpersprache verriet seine Lüge.
He denied the facts, but his body language revealed his lie.
'Leugnen' (to deny) is very often used with a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that) to express which fact is being denied. Alternatively, it can also be followed by a noun in the accusative.
Er leugnete, dass er am Tatort gewesen war.
He denied that he had been at the crime scene.
The expression 'sich nicht leugnen lassen' (cannot be denied) has a fixed structure. The thing that is obvious often appears in a subordinate clause with 'dass' (that), introduced by 'Es lässt sich nicht leugnen, dass...' (It cannot be denied that...).
Es lässt sich nicht leugnen, dass er sehr talentiert ist.
It cannot be denied that he is very talented.
to recognize / acknowledge
'anerkennen' and 'leugnen' are opposites here. When you acknowledge a fact, you admit that it is true or exists. When you deny it, you dispute exactly that. The words can be confused because both often appear in contexts involving arguments, mistakes, or unpleasant truths. But the difference is clear: 'anerkennen' means to agree or admit; 'leugnen' means to deny.
Der Fahrer leugnet, dass er bei Rot über die Ampel gefahren ist.
The driver denies that he drove through the red light.
Sie erkennt morgen an, dass der Fehler bei ihr lag.
Tomorrow she will acknowledge that the mistake was her fault.