Rechenschaft ablegen
To account for
Littéralement: To lay down an account
Use it when you must formally justify serious actions or financial decisions to someone in authority.
En 15 secondes
- To formally justify or explain your actions to an authority.
- Used in serious professional, legal, or high-stakes personal contexts.
- Implies a moral or legal duty to be transparent.
Signification
This phrase means to give a formal explanation or justification for your actions or decisions. It's like standing in front of someone and saying, 'Here is exactly what I did and why I did it.'
Exemples clés
3 sur 6In a corporate board meeting
Der Geschäftsführer musste vor den Aktionären Rechenschaft ablegen.
The CEO had to account for his actions to the shareholders.
A serious relationship talk
Ich bin dir keine Rechenschaft ablegen, wo ich gestern war!
I don't have to account to you for where I was yesterday!
A political scandal
Die Ministerin legte über die Verwendung der Steuergelder Rechenschaft ab.
The minister gave an account of the use of tax money.
Contexte culturel
The phrase has deep roots in both legal and religious history, where one had to 'give an account' of their life or finances before an authority. In modern Germany, it is closely linked to the high standards of corporate governance and public office transparency. It reflects the cultural expectation that those in power must be answerable to the people.
The 'Vor' Rule
Always remember that you lay down an account *vor* (before) someone. It helps to visualize standing in front of a judge's bench.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this for small mistakes, you'll sound like you're in a Shakespeare play. Keep it for the big stuff!
En 15 secondes
- To formally justify or explain your actions to an authority.
- Used in serious professional, legal, or high-stakes personal contexts.
- Implies a moral or legal duty to be transparent.
What It Means
Imagine you are a captain who lost a ship. You don't just say 'oops.' You have to explain every decision to the admiralty. That is Rechenschaft ablegen. It’s about deep accountability. You are 'laying down' (ablegen) a detailed report (Rechenschaft) of your conduct. It implies that the person you are talking to has a right to know the truth. It's not just a casual chat; it’s a formal reckoning of your behavior or finances.
How To Use It
You will usually see this paired with the preposition über (about) or vor (before/to). For example, you lay down an account über your expenses vor your boss. The verb ablegen is separable in some tenses, but here it functions as a fixed unit. It sounds quite weighty. If you use it, people will know you are taking the situation very seriously. It’s the linguistic equivalent of putting on a suit and tie.
When To Use It
Use this in professional or legal settings. If a project budget disappears, the manager must Rechenschaft ablegen. It’s also great for high-stakes personal drama. If your partner finds out you’ve been secret-spending, they might demand that you Rechenschaft ablegen. Use it when there is a clear power dynamic or a moral obligation to be transparent. It’s perfect for those 'we need to talk' moments that involve spreadsheets or heavy consciences.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for trivial things. If you forgot to buy bread, don't tell your roommate you need to Rechenschaft ablegen. It sounds way too dramatic—like you’re being audited by the Bread Police. Avoid it in casual, happy settings. It has a slightly defensive or 'under-the-microscope' vibe. If you just want to explain how to use a coffee machine, stick to erklären (to explain).
Cultural Background
Germans value 'Transparenz' (transparency) and 'Pflichtbewusstsein' (sense of duty). This phrase stems from the world of bookkeeping and the legal system. Historically, it was about proving you didn't steal from the village chest. Today, it reflects a culture where being 'verantwortungsbewusst' (responsible) is a top-tier personality trait. It’s the verbal manifestation of the German 'Ordnung' (order) mindset.
Common Variations
The most common variation is jemanden zur Rechenschaft ziehen. This means 'to hold someone accountable.' While ablegen is what the person doing the explaining does, ziehen (to pull) is what the person demanding the explanation does. You might also hear rechenschaftspflichtig, which is the adjective for being 'accountable.' It’s all part of the same serious family of words.
Notes d'usage
This is a high-register collocation. Use it in writing or formal speech to convey a sense of serious responsibility and transparency.
The 'Vor' Rule
Always remember that you lay down an account *vor* (before) someone. It helps to visualize standing in front of a judge's bench.
Don't Overuse It
If you use this for small mistakes, you'll sound like you're in a Shakespeare play. Keep it for the big stuff!
The Power Move
Saying 'Ich bin dir keine Rechenschaft schuldig' (I owe you no account) is a very strong way to set a boundary in German.
Exemples
6Der Geschäftsführer musste vor den Aktionären Rechenschaft ablegen.
The CEO had to account for his actions to the shareholders.
A classic professional use involving financial responsibility.
Ich bin dir keine Rechenschaft ablegen, wo ich gestern war!
I don't have to account to you for where I was yesterday!
Used here to push back against someone demanding an explanation.
Die Ministerin legte über die Verwendung der Steuergelder Rechenschaft ab.
The minister gave an account of the use of tax money.
Very common in political news reporting.
Mein Chef will, dass ich für jede Minute im Büro Rechenschaft ablege. Nervig!
My boss wants me to account for every minute in the office. Annoying!
Used ironically to complain about micromanagement.
Mein Hund sollte mal Rechenschaft darüber ablegen, wer die Schuhe zerkaut hat.
My dog should really give an account of who chewed up the shoes.
Applying a very formal phrase to a silly situation for comedic effect.
Der Zeuge musste vor Gericht Rechenschaft über seine Aussagen ablegen.
The witness had to account for his statements in court.
Standard legal terminology.
Teste-toi
Choose the correct preposition to complete the sentence.
Er muss ___ seinem Chef Rechenschaft ablegen.
We use 'vor' (before/to) to indicate the person or authority receiving the explanation.
Complete the phrase with the correct verb.
Sie weigert sich, Rechenschaft ___.
'Rechenschaft ablegen' is a fixed collocation; 'machen' or 'geben' are incorrect in this context.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of Explaining Things
Explaining why you're late to a friend.
erklären
Reporting on a project status.
Bericht erstatten
Justifying actions to an authority.
Rechenschaft ablegen
When to Lay Down an Account
Tax Audit
Explaining expenses to the Finanzamt.
Courtroom
A defendant justifying their motives.
Boardroom
A CEO explaining a drop in profits.
Relationship Crisis
Explaining a breach of trust.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, while it's common in finance, it's used for any situation where you must justify your behavior or decisions, like Rechenschaft über sein Handeln ablegen.
Technically people might understand you, but it's not the correct collocation. Always use ablegen to sound like a native speaker.
Erklären is just to explain how something works. Rechenschaft ablegen implies you are responsible for the outcome and are being judged.
Usually, it implies something went wrong or needs scrutiny, but you can also Rechenschaft ablegen to show a job was done successfully and transparently.
You use the variation jemanden zur Rechenschaft ziehen. For example: Der Dieb wurde zur Rechenschaft gezogen.
Only if the conversation is very serious. You won't hear it at a party unless someone is in big trouble.
In this context, ablegen means to 'deliver' or 'render,' similar to taking an exam (eine Prüfung ablegen).
No, you don't use 'sich'. You simply Rechenschaft ablegen.
It's considered B2/C1 because it's a formal, nuanced collocation used in professional and literary contexts.
Only if you're 16 and came home three hours late. It emphasizes the 'authority' they have over you.
Expressions liées
jemanden zur Rechenschaft ziehen
Verantwortung übernehmen
sich rechtfertigen
Bericht erstatten
Rede und Antwort stehen
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