verbergen
to hide
To hide an object in a place so that it cannot be seen or found.
EXAMPLE
Er verbarg den Schlüssel unter der Fußmatte.
He hid the key under the doormat.
verbergen
to hide / conceal
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
verbergen
to conceal
To not show a feeling, intention, or piece of information outwardly, or to keep it secret.
EXAMPLE
Sie konnte ihre Enttäuschung hinter einem gezwungenen Lächeln kaum verbergen.
She could barely conceal her disappointment behind a forced smile.
sich verbergen
to be hidden
To hide oneself in a place so as not to be discovered by others.
EXAMPLE
Hinter dem dichten Gebüsch verbarg sich der Eingang zu einer Höhle.
Behind the dense bushes, the entrance to a cave was hidden.
Usage tips
Inseparable verb
'Verbergen' (to hide/conceal) is an inseparable verb with the prefix 'ver-'. The prefix remains firmly attached to the verb 'bergen' in all sentence forms and is not placed at the end of the sentence.
EXAMPLE
Er verbirgt etwas vor uns.
He is hiding something from us.
Reflexive use
When a person or object hides itself, the verb is used reflexively: 'sich verbergen' (to hide oneself / to be hidden). If it is used without 'sich', the subject is hiding another thing or a feeling.
EXAMPLE
Die Katze verbirgt sich unter dem Sofa.
The cat is hiding under the sofa.
Participle as adjective
The past participle 'verborgen' (hidden) is very often used like an adjective to describe something as 'versteckt' (hidden) or 'geheim' (secret). It then stands before a noun and is declined.
EXAMPLE
Wir entdeckten einen verborgenen Schatz.
We discovered a hidden treasure.
Feelings and information
'Verbergen' (to conceal) is used especially often to express keeping feelings, intentions, or information secret. Typical objects are then 'die Wahrheit' (the truth), 'seine Angst' (his fear), or 'die Nervosität' (nervousness).
EXAMPLE
Er versuchte, seine Nervosität zu verbergen.
He tried to conceal his nervousness.
Compare with
verbergen vs verstecken
to hide
Both verbs mean that something is not meant to be seen or found. „Verstecken“ usually sounds more natural in everyday situations and when referring to a specific place. „Verbergen“ places more emphasis on deliberately keeping something secret or making it invisible and often sounds somewhat more formal. Both words are possible for objects.
verbergen
Lena verbarg ihre Enttäuschung, damit die anderen sie nicht bemerkten.
Lena concealed her disappointment so that the others would not notice it.
verstecken
Lena versteckte den Schlüssel unter dem Kissen, damit ihn niemand fand.
Lena hid the key under the pillow so that no one would find it.
In real life
Loading video examples...