zugestehen
admit
Definition & meaning
Zugestehen means to grant, concede, or acknowledge something.
- To grant someone something, such as a right, permission, or claim.
- To concede or acknowledge a point, often during a discussion or argument.
- Reflexively, sich etwas zugestehen means to allow oneself something, such as a break or a pleasure.
Grammar & Word origin
Zugestehen is a separable, irregular verb. Its principal forms are gesteht zu, gestand zu, and hat zugestanden. It is commonly used with a person in the dative and the thing granted or conceded in the accusative.
The verb is formed from the prefix zu- and gestehen , meaning “to admit” or “to confess.” In zugestehen, the sense has developed to include recognizing or granting something to someone.
Synonyms & antonyms
Synonyms:
- gewähren — “to grant”; often emphasizes providing a right, benefit, or permission.
- einräumen — “to concede” or “to admit”; especially common when acknowledging that another person has a valid point.
- anerkennen — “to recognize” or “to acknowledge”; focuses on accepting something as valid or deserved.
Antonyms:
- verweigern — “to refuse” or “to deny”; the clearest opposite when something is requested or sought.
- absprechen — “to deny” or “to dispute”; often used when denying someone a right, quality, or claim.
Common phrases & collocations
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Examples
Du musst dir einen Fehler zugestehen.verb
You have to admit a mistake to yourself.
Man sollte Schwächen zugestehen können.verb
One should be able to admit weaknesses.
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