bekennen
Translation
to confess, to admit, to profess, to acknowledge
Examples
Er bekennt seine Schuld.
He confesses his guilt.
Sie bekennt sich zu ihrer Religion.
She professes her religion.
Grammar Patterns
((et4)) to confess sth. He confesses his sins.
sich ((zu+3)) to profess/commit to sth. He professes his commitment to Christianity.
Similar Words
Synonyms: gestehen, zugeben; Antonyms: leugnen, abstreiten
Etymology
Comes from the prefix 'be-' (to make or cause) and 'kennen' (to know). Essentially, 'to make something known'.
Memory Tips
Imagine you are making what you 'know' ('kennen') into a public statement.