Meaning 1neutral; serious contexts · 82%
To admit openly that one did something or that a statement is true.
Natural examples
Der Fahrer gestand den Fehler sofort.
The driver admitted the mistake immediately.
Sie gestand ihrer Schwester, dass sie Angst hatte.
She confessed to her sister that she was afraid.
Der Politiker gestand den Irrtum vor der Presse.
The politician admitted the error before the press.
Usage note
Gestehen forms the perfect with haben: hat gestanden. It takes an object or a dass-clause, for example gestehen, dass man einen Fehler gemacht hat.
Mini-lesson: gestehen
To admit openly that one did something or that a statement is true. Gestehen forms the perfect with haben: hat gestanden. It takes an object or a dass-clause, for example gestehen, dass man einen Fehler gemacht hat.
Check your learning
Choose one answer.Which definition matches «gestehen»?