to reveal / abandon
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to reveal
To betray or disclose information, a secret, or knowledge, often unwillingly or under pressure.
Unter Folter gab der Spion wichtige militärische Geheimnisse preis.
Under torture, the spy revealed important military secrets.
to abandon
To give up someone or something, leave them in the lurch, and hand them over to fate or to an opponent.
Die belagerte Stadt wurde schließlich vom Kommandanten preisgegeben.
The besieged city was finally abandoned by the commander.
to expose
To expose or hand something over to the public, to criticism, or to a particular use.
Mit der Veröffentlichung seines Tagebuchs hat er sein Innerstes der Öffentlichkeit preisgegeben.
By publishing his diary, he exposed his innermost self to the public.
'Preisgeben' (to reveal / abandon) is a separable verb. The prefix 'preis' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu' (to), the verb stays together.
Er gibt seine Pläne nur ungern preis.
He is reluctant to reveal his plans.
The prefix 'preis-' is rare and here means something like 'ausliefern' (to hand over) or 'schutzlos machen' (to leave defenseless). The verb therefore describes giving away something valuable, such as a secret or a person.
Der Verräter gab die Pläne der Armee an den Feind preis.
The traitor revealed the army's plans to the enemy.
In this meaning, 'preisgeben' (to reveal) is often combined with abstract nouns such as 'Geheimnisse' (secrets), 'Informationen' (information), 'Details' (details), or 'Pläne' (plans).
Der Zeuge wollte aus Angst keine Details über den Vorfall preisgeben.
Out of fear, the witness did not want to reveal any details about the incident.
When you give up someone or something, a dative object is often used to indicate to whom or what it is being handed over. A typical phrase is 'jemanden dem Schicksal preisgeben' (to abandon someone to fate).
Die Soldaten durften die Festung unter keinen Umständen dem Feind preisgeben.
The soldiers were not allowed to abandon the fortress to the enemy under any circumstances.
In the meaning 'sich aussetzen' (to expose oneself), the verb is often used reflexively: 'sich preisgeben' (to expose oneself). This means revealing personal or private things.
Als Künstler muss man bereit sein, sich der Kritik der Öffentlichkeit preiszugeben.
As an artist, you have to be willing to expose yourself to public criticism.
to reveal / betray
Both words work when secret information becomes accessible to others. Verraten tends to emphasize that someone has violated an expected duty of confidentiality, whereas preisgeben describes the act of disclosure more objectively and can also happen under pressure. Choose verraten when a breach of trust is possible, and preisgeben when focusing on the process of disclosure.
Unter starkem Druck gab die Zeugin das geheime Passwort preis.
Under intense pressure, the witness disclosed the secret password.
Er verriet das Passwort und enttäuschte damit seine Kollegin.
He revealed the password and disappointed his colleague.
