Verb

zeugen

hat gezeugt · zeugte
Based on: Zeug
1.

to create life/babies, to conceive

(Almost always combined with "ein Kind")
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Examples
  • Im Dezember werden die meisten Kinder gezeugt.
  • December is the month in which the most babies are "made"/conceived.
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2.

to give evidence, to bear witness, to testify to

("zeugen von" - NOT in a legal sense. Think of a dirty kitchen that bears witness of a crazy party the night before.)
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Examples
  • Das Fehlen eines Salzstreuers auf den Tischen zeugt von großem Selbstvertrauen des Kochs.
  • The absence of a salt dispenser on the tables testifies to/ is a sign of a great self-confidence on part of the chef.
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Sources for Etymology:

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Word of the Day – “das Zeug”

Zeug means stuff. And Spielzeug literally means playstuff. But there's much more. Zeuge is witness and überzeugen is to convince. Today, we'll find out why.

Vocab: das Zeug, der Zeuge, das Zeugnis, erzeugen, das Flugzeug, das Feuerzeug, das Spielzeug, überzeugen

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How many meanings does the German word 'zeugen' have?

zeugen has 2 distinct meanings: 1. to create life/babies, to conceive, 2. to give evidence, to bear witness, to testify to.

What is the past tense of 'zeugen'?

hat gezeugt / zeugte

What is 'zeugen' related to?

The word 'zeugen' is related to Zeug.

Where can I learn more about 'zeugen'?

Here are some articles where you can learn more about 'zeugen':

Word of the Day – “das Zeug”
Zeug means stuff. And Spielzeug literally means playstuff. But there's much more. Zeuge is witness and überzeugen is to convince. Today, we'll find out why.
Vocab: das Zeug, der Zeuge, das Zeugnis, erzeugen, das Flugzeug, das Feuerzeug, das Spielzeug, überzeugen
Read article