zeugen
Translation
to testify, to bear witness, to father, to beget
Examples
Seine Taten zeugen von großem Mut.
His actions testify to great courage.
Sie musste vor Gericht für ihn zeugen.
She had to testify for him in court.
Er hat zwei Söhne gezeugt.
He has fathered two sons.
Grammar Patterns
((of sth.)) to testify to sth. His actions testify to great courage.
((for/against sb.)) to testify for/against sb. She had to testify for him.
((sth.)) to father sth. He has fathered two sons.
Similar Words
Etymology
From Old High German 'giziugon', related to 'Zeuge' (witness). The root means 'to pull' (ziehen), in the sense of 'bringing forth' evidence or a child.
Memory Tips
Think of a 'Zeuge' (witness) who has to 'zeugen' (testify) in court. The word 'Zeug' also means 'stuff' or 'thing', so to 'zeugen' is to bring forth a thing (evidence or a child).