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erzählen

tell

verb er-TSAY-len Less Common
Communication Speech

Also means

narrate

Usage Note

erzählen means to tell a story or recount events, taking a dative listener: Erzähl mir davon. Distinguish it from sagen ('to say a fact') and sprechen ('to speak') - erzählen implies a narrative. The inseparable er- prefix never splits off.

Examples

"Oma erzählt uns eine Geschichte."

Natural Translation

Grandma tells us a story.

Literal Translation

Grandma tells us a story.

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