Illustration of the A2 German word “erklären”, which translates to “to explain”. A bespectacled squirrel stands on a stump waving a tiny pointer at a chalk-dust nebula, while a room of wide-eyed hedgehogs cheers, holding up signs with drawings as he explains the secret to finding the perfect nut.
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erklären is one of the A2 words in the free course — with this picture, the audio, and spaced repetition.

erklären

to explain

/ɛɐ̯ˈklɛːʁən/

Conjugation

Principal parts

erklären, erklärte, hat erklärt

ich erkläre
du erklärst
er/sie/es erklärt
wir erklären
ihr erklärt
sie/Sie erklären

Practice "erklären"

Examples — erklären in a sentence

Er hat mir die Regeln erklärt.

He explained the rules to me.

Können Sie das bitte noch einmal erklären?

Can you please explain that again?

How to remember it

"Erklären" — make it clear.

More A2 words

Illustration of the A2 German word “die Erklärung”, which translates to “explanation”. Close-up of a tangled ball of yarn untangling itself into one straight glowing golden line that lights a clear path, the unravelling knot filling the frame.
die Erklärung

/ɛɐ̯ˈklɛːʁʊŋ/

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explanation

Examples

Kannst du mir bitte eine Erklärung geben?

Can you please give me an explanation?

Seine Erklärung war klar und verständlich.

His explanation was clear and understandable.

Illustration of the A2 German word “das Extremsport”, which translates to “extreme sport”. A squirrel wearing a tiny leather helmet and goggles skydives off a skyscraper, gripping a snowboard while furiously playing a banjo in mid-air with a look of manic, wide-eyed glee.
das Extremsport

/ɛksˈtʁeːmˌʃpɔʁt/

extreme sport

Examples

Das Extremsport ist gefährlich, aber spannend.

Extreme sport is dangerous, but exciting.

Möchtest du das Extremsport einmal versuchen?

Would you like to try extreme sport sometime?

Illustration of the A2 German word “der Fahrer”, which translates to “driver (male)”. A nervous squirrel wearing giant goggles sits behind the wheel of a massive, double-decker bus, eyes wide with manic glee as he steers with his tail, sending the bus weaving through a field of terrified sunflowers.
der Fahrer

/ˈfaːʁɐ/

driver (male)

Examples

Der Fahrer hat uns sicher nach Hause gebracht.

The driver brought us home safely.

Bitte sagen Sie dem Fahrer, wohin wir müssen.

Please tell the driver where we need to go.

Illustration of the A2 German word “die Fahrerin”, which translates to “driver (female)”. A granny with goggles and a flowing scarf sits at the wheel of a massive, roaring racecar; she grins with fierce delight as the vehicle leaves a trail of burning rubber across a field of bewildered cows.
die Fahrerin

/ˈfaːʁəʁɪn/

driver (female)

Examples

Die Fahrerin hielt das Auto sofort an.

The driver stopped the car immediately.

Sie ist eine sehr vorsichtige Fahrerin.

She is a very careful driver.

Illustration of the A2 German word “das Fahrrad”, which translates to “bicycle”. Close-up of one enormous cheerful bicycle filling the frame, big round spoked wheels, a shiny bell and a wicker basket, propped bright and ready against nothing, the whole bike the sole subject. No people.
das Fahrrad

/ˈfaːɐ̯ˌʁaːt/

bicycle

Examples

Mein neues Fahrrad ist rot.

My new bicycle is red.

Ich fahre oft mit dem Fahrrad zur Arbeit.

I often ride my bicycle to work.

Illustration of the A2 German word “fit”, which translates to “fit, in shape”. A person running on a path where every footstep turns the ground beneath them into bouncy, vibrant spring grass that makes them leap higher.
fit

/fɪt/

fit, in shape

Comparative Forms

Positive fit
Komparativ fitter
Superlativ am fittesten

Examples

Ich muss wieder fit werden für den Marathon.

I need to get fit again for the marathon.

Mein Opa ist mit 80 Jahren noch sehr fit.

My grandpa is still very fit at 80 years old.

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feminine Erklärung — explanation

ErklärungExtremsportFahrerFahrerinFahrradfitAll German word pages

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