erzählen
Translation
to tell, to narrate, to recount
Examples
Er erzählt eine Geschichte.
He tells a story.
Erzähl mir von deinem Tag.
Tell me about your day.
Sie erzählt, was passiert ist.
She tells what happened.
Grammar Patterns
((j-m)) ((et4)) to tell sb. sth. He tells the children a story.
((von+3)) to tell about sth. She tells of her trip to Japan.
Similar Words
Synonyms: berichten (to report), schildern (to describe); Antonyms: schweigen (to be silent), verschweigen (to conceal)
Etymology
From the prefix er- (denoting completion) + zählen (to count). It originally meant 'to count out', which evolved into 'to recount' or 'narrate'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'counting out' (zählen) the details of a story to someone, which is what you do when you 'tell' (erzählen) it.