ein Geheimnis verraten
To reveal a secret
字面意思: a secret betray
Use this phrase when sharing confidential info or surprises to show you're letting someone 'in'.
15秒了解
- To tell someone a secret or confidential information.
- Uses the verb 'verraten', which literally means 'to betray'.
- Common in both casual gossip and serious trust-based conversations.
意思
This phrase is used when you share information that was supposed to be kept private or hidden from others. It's the German way of saying you're 'spilling the beans' or letting someone in on a secret.
关键例句
3 / 6Gossiping with a friend
Ich werde dir mein Geheimnis verraten, aber sag es niemandem!
I will tell you my secret, but don't tell anyone!
Planning a surprise
Wir dürfen das Geheimnis über die Party nicht verraten.
We must not reveal the secret about the party.
A professional warning
Sie dürfen keine Firmengeheimnisse an die Konkurrenz verraten.
You must not reveal any company secrets to the competition.
文化背景
In Germany, privacy (Privatsphäre) is a cultural pillar. Sharing a secret is seen as a significant gesture of trust, as Germans tend to be more reserved with personal information compared to Americans. The verb 'verraten' (to betray) highlights the gravity of breaking that trust.
The 'Betrayal' Connection
Remember that 'verraten' also means 'to betray'. This helps you remember that secrets in Germany are serious business!
Watch the Dative
If you tell a secret TO someone, that person is in the dative case. 'Ich verrate DIR (dative) ein Geheimnis.'
15秒了解
- To tell someone a secret or confidential information.
- Uses the verb 'verraten', which literally means 'to betray'.
- Common in both casual gossip and serious trust-based conversations.
What It Means
Imagine you're holding a tiny, glowing spark in your hands. That spark is a secret. When you open your hands, the spark flies away. You just used the phrase ein Geheimnis verraten. In German, this means sharing something meant to stay hidden. It’s not just talking. It’s about the act of revealing. Sometimes it’s a fun surprise. Other times, it’s a serious breach of trust. The word verraten actually means 'to betray.' So, you aren't just 'telling' a secret. You are technically 'betraying' it. This gives the phrase a bit more weight. It’s punchy and direct.
How To Use It
You’ll mostly use this with the verb verraten. It’s a regular verb, which is great for you. In the past tense, it becomes hat verraten. You can use it in a question. 'Willst du mir ein Geheimnis verraten?' Or as a command to a friend. 'Verrat es mir doch endlich!' You can also use it with 'jemandem.' This shows who you are telling the secret to. 'Ich habe es ihm verraten.' Keep it simple. The phrase does the heavy lifting for you.
When To Use It
Use this when you have juicy gossip. Use it when planning a surprise party. It’s perfect for those 'don't tell anyone' moments. You’ll hear it in movies all the time. Detectives ask suspects to das Geheimnis verraten. Friends use it over coffee. 'Ich muss dir unbedingt ein Geheimnis verraten.' It builds a bridge of trust between people. It says, 'I trust you with this info.' It’s also common in marketing. 'Wir verraten Ihnen das Rezept für Erfolg!'
When NOT To Use It
Don’t use it for public information. If everyone knows, it’s not a secret anymore. Don’t use it for general facts. 'I will reveal that the sky is blue' sounds weird. Avoid it if the situation is too formal. In a legal court, you might say offenlegen. Verraten feels a bit more personal. Also, don't use it if you didn't mean to. If you accidentally said something, use verplappern. Verraten often implies a choice to speak.
Cultural Background
Germans take their privacy very seriously. The concept of Datenschutz is huge here. Because of this, ein Geheimnis verraten carries weight. Trust is the currency of German friendships. Once you reveal a secret, that trust might break. Historically, 'betrayal' has dark connotations in Europe. But today, it's mostly used for social secrets. It’s a way to show intimacy. Sharing a secret means you are 'in' with someone.
Common Variations
You might hear etwas ausplaudern. This is like 'blabbing' or 'chatting away.' It’s more casual and less serious. Then there is die Katze aus dem Sack lassen. This means 'to let the cat out of the bag.' It’s an idiom for revealing a secret. Another one is jemanden einweihen. This means 'to let someone in on a secret.' It sounds more like you are inviting them. Verraten remains the most direct way to say it.
使用说明
The phrase is neutral and safe for almost any context. Just remember that 'verraten' is a strong word; if you use it for something trivial, it might sound slightly dramatic or playful.
The 'Betrayal' Connection
Remember that 'verraten' also means 'to betray'. This helps you remember that secrets in Germany are serious business!
Watch the Dative
If you tell a secret TO someone, that person is in the dative case. 'Ich verrate DIR (dative) ein Geheimnis.'
The Pinky Swear
In Germany, instead of a pinky swear, people often say 'Hand aufs Herz' (hand on heart) when promising not to reveal a secret.
例句
6Ich werde dir mein Geheimnis verraten, aber sag es niemandem!
I will tell you my secret, but don't tell anyone!
A classic way to start a confidential conversation.
Wir dürfen das Geheimnis über die Party nicht verraten.
We must not reveal the secret about the party.
Used here to keep a positive surprise hidden.
Sie dürfen keine Firmengeheimnisse an die Konkurrenz verraten.
You must not reveal any company secrets to the competition.
In a work context, this refers to NDAs and legal obligations.
Verrätst du mir, was Mama zum Geburtstag bekommt? 😉
Will you tell me what Mom is getting for her birthday? 😉
Playful use of the phrase in a text message.
Mein Gesicht hat mein Geheimnis schon verraten.
My face has already given my secret away.
Personifying the face to show that emotions were obvious.
Ich hätte dein Geheimnis niemals verraten sollen.
I should never have revealed your secret.
Expressing deep regret for breaking someone's trust.
自我测试
Fill in the correct form of the verb 'verraten'.
Hast du mein Geheimnis ___?
The past participle of 'verraten' is also 'verraten' (it's an inseparable prefix verb).
Choose the best word to complete the phrase.
Ich möchte dir ein ___ verraten.
'Geheimnis' is the standard noun used with 'verraten' to mean revealing a secret.
🎉 得分： /2
视觉学习工具
Formality of 'ein Geheimnis verraten'
Sharing gossip with your best friend.
Verrat mir dein Geheimnis!
Discussing a surprise party or general news.
Ich habe das Geheimnis verraten.
Legal or business secrets (though 'offenlegen' is also used).
Er hat Geschäftsgeheimnisse verraten.
When to spill the beans
Surprise Party
Don't tell the birthday girl!
Office Gossip
Who is getting promoted?
Childhood Pacts
Pinky swear not to tell.
Cooking
Revealing the secret ingredient.
常见问题
10 个问题Not at all! You can ein Geheimnis verraten when telling someone about a surprise gift or a fun plan.
Sagen is just to say something. Verraten implies the information was hidden or private before you spoke.
Yes! You can say Verrat mir nicht das Ende! (Don't reveal the ending to me!).
Yes, it's neutral. Just be careful, as Geschäftsgeheimnisse verraten (revealing trade secrets) can get you fired!
You can say Ich werde nichts verraten or simply Ich behalte es für mich (I'll keep it to myself).
That is a person who reveals secrets—essentially a snitch or a blabbermouth.
Yes, you can use ausplaudern, which sounds more like 'blabbing' or 'chatting away'.
Yes, but then it strictly means 'to betray'. Er hat seinen Freund verraten means he betrayed his friend.
In this phrase, Geheimnis is the direct object, so it is in the accusative case.
No, the prefix 'ver-' is never separable in German. It stays attached: ich verrate, ich verriet, hat verraten.
相关表达
die Katze aus dem Sack lassen
etwas ausplaudern
jemanden einweihen
ein Geheimnis bewahren
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