Verb

anerkennen

Translation

to recognize, to acknowledge, to appreciate, to admit

Ich erkenne deine Leistung an.

I recognize your achievement.

Er hat seinen Fehler anerkannt.

He admitted his mistake.

Das Land wurde als Staat anerkannt.

The country was recognized as a state.

((sth.)) ((as sth.)) to recognize sth. as sth. The country was recognized as a state.

((sth.)) to recognize/acknowledge sth. I recognize your achievement.

Synonyms: to appreciate (würdigen), to accept (akzeptieren), to admit (zugeben); Antonyms: to deny (leugnen), to ignore (ignorieren)

Composed of 'an-' (on, to) and 'erkennen' (to recognize, to know). It carries the sense of formally granting recognition to something.

Visualize 'an' + 'erkennen' as placing your 'knowing' ('kennen') *onto* a person or achievement, thus formally recognizing it.