Verb

zu|trauen

Translation

to trust someone to do something, to believe someone capable of something

Ich hätte ihm das nicht zugetraut.

I wouldn't have thought him capable of that.

Sie traut sich die neue Aufgabe zu.

She feels capable of the new task.

((j-m)) ((et4)) zutrauen to believe (sb.) capable of (sth.) I trust you with this task.

sich(3) ((et4)) zutrauen to feel capable of (sth.) She feels capable of the exam.

Synonyms: (für fähig) halten, glauben; Antonyms: misstrauen

From 'zu-' (towards) and 'trauen' (to trust). It implies directing trust towards someone's ability to do something.

Think of it as giving your 'trust' (trauen) 'to' (zu) someone for a specific challenge.