ergründen
Translation
to fathom, to get to the bottom of, to explore, to investigate
Examples
Der Detektiv will die Wahrheit ergründen.
The detective wants to fathom the truth.
Wir müssen die Ursache des Problems ergründen.
We must get to the bottom of the problem's cause.
Grammar Patterns
to fathom ((sth.)) Der Forscher will das Geheimnis ergründen.
Similar Words
Synonyms: untersuchen (to investigate), erforschen (to research), herausfinden (to find out)
Etymology
Prefix 'er-' (indicating achievement or completion) + 'Grund' (ground, bottom, reason). Literally 'to get to the bottom of'.
Memory Tips
Imagine digging down to the 'Grund' (ground) to fully understand something from its very foundation.