to camouflage / disguise
Loading your saved state.
to camouflage
To visually change something or someone so that it is not recognizable, or only difficult to recognize, in its surroundings; to camouflage something.
Die Soldaten tarnten ihre Zelte mit Ästen und Blättern.
The soldiers camouflaged their tents with branches and leaves.
to disguise oneself
To hide one's true identity, intention, or feelings, often by pretending to be someone or something else.
Der Detektiv tarnte sich als Postbote, um das Haus unauffällig beobachten zu können.
The detective disguised himself as a mail carrier so he could observe the house inconspicuously.
The verb 'tarnen' (to camouflage/disguise) is used in two main patterns. You can say 'etwas tarnen' (to camouflage something) transitively or 'sich tarnen' (to camouflage/disguise oneself) reflexively. The reflexive form is used both for hiding in one's surroundings and for hiding one's own identity.
Das Chamäleon kann sich perfekt tarnen.
The chameleon can camouflage itself perfectly.
When it is about visual camouflage, the preposition 'mit' (with) is often used to name the camouflage material. Typical objects are vehicles, buildings, or even people.
Der Fotograf tarnte sein Zelt mit einem speziellen Netz.
The photographer camouflaged his tent with a special net.
To express that someone is hiding their identity, the fixed structure 'sich als jemand/etwas tarnen' (to disguise oneself as someone/something) is used. The new, false identity follows after the preposition 'als' (as).
Der Polizist tarnte sich als Obdachloser, um die Drogenszene zu beobachten.
The police officer disguised himself as a homeless person in order to observe the drug scene.
to hide / conceal
verbergen and tarnen can both mean keeping one's identity or intentions secret. verbergen initially means only not revealing something, while tarnen usually involves an altered appearance or a different identity. Use verbergen when something is being withheld, and tarnen when deception is also involved.
Der Zeuge tarnte sich als Mitarbeiter, damit ihn die Reporter nicht erkannten.
The witness disguised himself as an employee so that the reporters would not recognize him.
Der Zeuge verbarg seine wahre Identität, als er mit den Reportern sprach.
The witness concealed his true identity when he spoke to the reporters.
