All German word comparisons · Back to the topic overview
Meaning, sentence patterns and examples
| Word | Core meaning | Typical context | Grammar |
|---|---|---|---|
| erklären | explain; also declare | Making ideas understandable | Inseparable er-. Weak: erklärt, erklärte, hat erklärt. Jemandem etwas erklären: recipient dative, explanation accusative; a why/how clause can supply the content. |
| abklären | check and clarify | Confirming details or an unresolved matter | Separable ab-: klärt ab, hat abgeklärt. Etwas abklären takes accusative; mit jemandem uses dative. You can also abklären, ob a proposal is possible. |
| aufklären | solve; inform or enlighten | Cases, misunderstandings and information | Separable auf-: klärt auf, hat aufgeklärt. Einen Fall aufklären; jemanden über etwas aufklären: person accusative, über + accusative. |
| klären | clarify; settle an uncertainty | Questions, responsibilities and causes | No separable prefix. Weak: klärt, klärte, hat geklärt. Etwas klären takes accusative; mit jemandem + dative can name a discussion partner. |
erklären
Meaning and usage: Use erklären for meanings, processes and reasons. The listener often already has a question and needs an explanation. The word also means declare in formal expressions, so it is not limited to teaching.
Grammar: Inseparable er-. Weak: erklärt, erklärte, hat erklärt. Jemandem etwas erklären: recipient dative, explanation accusative; a why/how clause can supply the content.
Kannst du mir diese Regel erklären?
Can you explain this rule to me?
abklären
Meaning and usage: Abklären emphasizes finding out or discussing what is still uncertain. It fits arrangements and practical questions; medical contexts can also use it for investigating an issue. It does not mean explain every time a topic is difficult.
Grammar: Separable ab-: klärt ab, hat abgeklärt. Etwas abklären takes accusative; mit jemandem uses dative. You can also abklären, ob a proposal is possible.
Ich kläre den Termin mit meiner Kollegin ab.
I will check the appointment with my colleague.
aufklären
Meaning and usage: A detective may aufklären a crime. A professional may aufklären a person about a risk. In the second construction, the person receives previously missing knowledge, rather than merely a definition.
Grammar: Separable auf-: klärt auf, hat aufgeklärt. Einen Fall aufklären; jemanden über etwas aufklären: person accusative, über + accusative.
Die Beraterin klärt uns über mögliche Risiken auf.
The adviser informs us about possible risks.
klären
Meaning and usage: Klären is the broad verb for making an unresolved situation clear. The subject might investigate, discuss or decide something. Sich klären means that a matter becomes clear.
Grammar: No separable prefix. Weak: klärt, klärte, hat geklärt. Etwas klären takes accusative; mit jemandem + dative can name a discussion partner.
Wir müssen klären, wer die Rechnung bezahlt.
We need to clarify who will pay the bill.
Overlap and context
Klären and abklären overlap substantially: either may fit checking a practical matter. Aufklären and klären can both resolve a misunderstanding. Choose familiar combinations instead of inventing a ranking from least to most thorough. Erklären describes understanding, while the other verbs often focus on removing uncertainty; context can combine both actions.
Common mistakes
- For explaining a grammar rule, jemanden aufklären is not the automatic substitute for jemandem etwas erklären.
- Keep the prefix at the end in a main clause: Ich kläre das ab. Erklären does not split.
Memory aid: Explain an idea; clarify an issue; check a detail; inform a person or solve a case. These prompts guide common uses, but the full phrase decides.
Try it
Choose the natural verb: Kannst du mir die Bedeutung dieses Wortes ___?
Show the answer
erklären
You want the meaning explained to you, with mir as the dative recipient.