Verb

verdanken

Translation

to owe, to have to thank for

Ich verdanke dir mein Leben.

I owe you my life.

Seinen Erfolg verdankt er harter Arbeit.

He owes his success to hard work.

((j-m)) ((et4)) to owe sth. to sb. He owes his success to his parents.

schulden (to owe, usually money), zuschreiben (to attribute)

Composed of the prefix 'ver-' (indicating a process or result) and 'danken' (to thank). It signifies owing thanks for a cause or reason.

Think of it as 'to give thanks for' something you've received. This implies you 'owe' that person or thing your gratitude.