German Word of the Day
erklären
er-KLÄ-ren • verb — 23rd of May, 2026
Listen to pronunciation
Meaning: to explain; to make something clear or understandable
Examples
- Kannst du mir das bitte erklären?
(Can you explain that to me, please?) - Der Lehrer erklärte die Grammatik mit vielen Beispielen.
(The teacher explained the grammar with many examples.) - Wie würdest du das einem Kind erklären?
(How would you explain that to a child?)
Synonyms
- darlegen
- erläutern
- beschreiben
Conjugation
| Person | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | erkläre | erklärte |
| du | erklärst | erklärtest |
| er/sie/es | erklärt | erklärte |
| wir | erklären | erklärten |
| ihr | erklärt | erklärtet |
| sie/Sie | erklären | erklärten |
See all 6 tenses of erklären →
Erklären is used to clarify information, reasons, or how something works. It is usually followed by a direct object (explain something) and often used with a person as indirect object (jemandem etwas erklären). In formal contexts it can also mean 'to declare' (e.g. a state or decision).
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