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.
'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 publish
'veröffentlichen' and 'preisgeben' can both mean that information is no longer secret or private. 'veröffentlichen' sounds neutral and often planned: you make a text, a work, or a piece of information available to the public. 'preisgeben' sounds stronger and often more negative. It is especially suitable when someone reveals or discloses a secret, personal data, or important information, sometimes under pressure. The words can be confused because in both cases other people find something out. For normal media, books, or official information, 'veröffentlichen' is more natural; for secrets or sensitive data, 'preisgeben' fits better.
Bei der Anmeldung sollte man nicht zu viele persönliche Daten preisgeben.
When registering, you should not reveal too much personal data.
Nele veröffentlicht jeden Monat einen kurzen Artikel über ihre Reisen.
Nele publishes a short article about her travels every month.