offenbaren

/ɔfn̩ˈbaːʁən/

verb C1

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present: offenbart
past: offenbarte
perfect: hat offenbart

Meaning

to reveal
- Er offenbarte ihr sein Geheimnis.
  
  He revealed his secret to her.
- Er offenbarte seiner Frau endlich das Geheimnis. Sie war überrascht, aber nicht böse.
  
  He finally revealed the secret to his wife. She was surprised but not angry.

Similar words

enthüllen

Close synonyms for "to reveal"; enthüllen leans toward unveiling something physically or ceremonially, offenbaren toward revealing a truth or secret.

Similar in other languages

Portuguese

descortinar

descortinar is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to reveal."

Portuguese

revelar

revelar is the Portuguese word for the same thing — both mean "to reveal."

Practice

1 What does offenbaren mean?

2 Fill the gap: Er ___ ihr sein Geheimnis.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches offenbaren?

verb

Last updated 2026-09-24