zeugen
to father
For a man to biologically produce a child.
EXAMPLE
Er hat mit seiner Frau zwei Kinder gezeugt.
He fathered two children with his wife.
zeugen
to father / to testify
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Meanings
zeugen von
to testify to
To be evidence or a sign of something; to clearly express or show something.
EXAMPLE
Sein detailliertes Wissen zeugt von intensivem Studium.
His detailed knowledge testifies to intensive study.
zeugen
to testify
To make a statement as a witness in court or before an authority.
EXAMPLE
Der Nachbar wurde vorgeladen, um in dem Fall zu zeugen.
The neighbor was summoned to testify in the case.
Usage tips
Word family
'Zeugen' (to father / to testify) is related to 'der Zeuge' (witness) and 'das Zeugnis' (testimony/certificate). The shared idea is bringing something forth or proving something—whether a child, a statement, or an achievement.
EXAMPLE
Seine guten Noten sind ein Zeugnis für seinen Fleiß.
His good grades are testimony to his diligence.
Fixed preposition
In the meaning 'ein Beweis sein für' (to be evidence of), 'zeugen' (to testify to) is always used with the preposition 'von' and the dative. The structure is: 'Etwas zeugt von etwas' (Something testifies to something).
EXAMPLE
Ihre schnelle Reaktion zeugt von großer Professionalität.
Her quick reaction testifies to great professionalism.
Context clue
The meaning 'eine Aussage machen' (to make a statement) is found almost exclusively in a legal context. Typical formulations are 'vor Gericht zeugen' (to testify in court) or 'gegen jemanden zeugen' (to testify against someone).
EXAMPLE
Er musste vor Gericht gegen seinen ehemaligen Freund zeugen.
He had to testify in court against his former friend.
Register and style
In the meaning 'ein Kind hervorbringen' (to produce a child), 'zeugen' (to father) is a rather formal or biological term. It is often used in written or formal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Laut Testament hat der Verstorbene drei Kinder gezeugt.
According to the will, the deceased fathered three children.
Compare with
zeugen vs belegen
to book / prove / top
Belegen and von etwas zeugen can both show that a statement or situation is true. Belegen emphasizes concrete evidence for a claim, whereas etwas zeugt eher als Anzeichen oder Ausdruck davon (serves more as an indication or expression of it). For direct proof, belegen is appropriate; for recognizable traces or signs, zeugen von is more appropriate.
zeugen
Die nassen Straßen zeugen von dem starken Regen.
The wet streets are evidence of the heavy rain.
belegen
Die Messwerte belegen, dass der Wasserstand stark gestiegen ist.
The measurements prove that the water level has risen sharply.
In real life
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