Verb

bekennen

Translation

to confess, to admit, to profess, to acknowledge

Der Angeklagte bekannte seine Schuld.

The defendant confessed his guilt.

Er bekennt sich offen zu seiner Homosexualität.

He openly professes his homosexuality.

Ich muss bekennen, dass ich mich geirrt habe.

I must confess that I was mistaken.

((et4)) to confess (sth.) He confessed his mistake.

sich ((zu+3)) to profess/commit to (sth.) She professes her commitment to environmental protection.

((, dass ...)) to admit (that ...) He admitted that he had lied.

zugeben (to admit), gestehen (to confess), eingestehen (to own up to)

From the prefix 'be-' and 'kennen' (to know). The idea is to make something known, to acknowledge it.

Think of making something you were hiding 'be known' (be-kennen). You are bringing it to light.