verb

erzählen

tell

Mit jemandem in Worten etwas mitteilen, zum Beispiel ein Erlebnis, eine Geschichte oder eine Information beschreiben.

Definition & meaning

The verb erzählen primarily means to tell, narrate, or recount something. It is used when someone gives a spoken or written account of an event, a story, or a series of experiences.

To narrate or tell a story: This is the most common use, referring to the act of sharing a fictional story or a real-life anecdote. For example, "Opa erzählt eine Geschichte" (Grandpa is telling a story).
To inform or report: It can also mean to let someone know about something that happened. While similar to "sagen" (to say), erzählen implies a more detailed or lengthy explanation. For example, "Erzähl mir von deinem Urlaub" (Tell me about your vacation).

Grammar & Word origin

erzählen is a weak (regular) verb. Its principal parts are:

Präsens: er/sie/es erzählt
Präteritum: er/sie/es erzählte
Perfekt: hat erzählt

Structurally, the word consists of the inseparable prefix er- and the base verb zählen (to count). In Old High German, "zählen" meant both to count and to enumerate or recount. Over time, the meaning evolved from merely counting numbers to "counting out" events in a sequence, which led to the modern meaning of narrating.

It is a transitive verb that often takes both a dative object (the person being told) and an accusative object (the thing being told).

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

berichten: To report. This is more formal and factual than erzählen.
schildern: To describe or depict. It implies providing a vivid or detailed account of a situation.
mitteilen: To inform or communicate. This focuses on the transmission of information.
sagen: To say. A more general and simpler term for speaking.

Antonyms:

verschweigen: To keep secret or to withhold information. This is the direct opposite of sharing an account.
zuhören: To listen. While not a semantic opposite, it represents the passive counterpart to the active role of telling.
** verschweigen:** To conceal or keep to oneself.