At the A1 level, learners are introduced to 'bekannt' primarily as a simple adjective meaning 'known' or 'famous'. The focus is on basic predicative use, where the adjective follows the verb 'sein' (to be) and does not require any complex declension endings. Students learn to construct simple, declarative sentences to describe people, places, or things they recognize. For example, they might say 'Der Film ist bekannt' (The movie is famous) or 'Die Stadt ist bekannt' (The city is known). At this stage, the goal is vocabulary acquisition and basic sentence structure. Learners are also taught to recognize 'bekannt' in simple reading texts, such as short descriptions of famous German cities or personalities. The concept of 'bekannt' as 'familiar' is introduced lightly, often through set phrases like 'Das ist mir bekannt' (That is known to me), though the grammatical mechanics behind the dative pronoun 'mir' might not be fully analyzed yet. Teachers emphasize pronunciation and the recognition of the 'be-' prefix, helping students connect it to the verb 'kennen' (to know), which they also learn at this level. Overall, A1 learners use 'bekannt' to express basic recognition and to identify famous entities in their immediate learning environment.
As learners progress to the A2 level, the usage of 'bekannt' becomes more grammatically complex. The primary shift is from purely predicative use to attributive use, which requires learners to apply adjective declension rules. Students learn to place 'bekannt' before nouns and adjust the ending based on gender, number, and case. They practice phrases like 'ein bekannter Schauspieler' (a famous actor), 'eine bekannte Sängerin' (a famous singer), and 'ein bekanntes Buch' (a famous book). This requires a solid understanding of nominative and accusative cases. Furthermore, A2 learners are introduced to the nominalized form 'der Bekannte' or 'die Bekannte' to mean 'the acquaintance'. This is a crucial cultural and linguistic step, as it allows learners to distinguish between a close friend ('Freund') and someone they just know ('Bekannter'). They practice using this in sentences like 'Ich treffe einen Bekannten' (I am meeting an acquaintance). Additionally, learners start to encounter 'bekannt' in combination with basic prepositions, particularly 'bekannt für' (known for), allowing them to construct more descriptive sentences about cities or people, such as 'München ist bekannt für das Oktoberfest'. The focus is on expanding descriptive capabilities and mastering basic declensions.
At the B1 level, learners are expected to use 'bekannt' with greater fluency and accuracy across a variety of contexts. The grammatical focus expands to include all cases, particularly the dative and genitive, when using 'bekannt' attributively. Students can comfortably say 'mit einem bekannten Autor' (with a famous author) or 'das Haus des bekannten Musikers' (the house of the famous musician). Moreover, B1 learners delve deeper into prepositional phrases. They master 'bekannt für' (known for) and 'bekannt als' (known as), understanding the subtle differences in usage and the cases they govern. For instance, they learn that 'bekannt als' is followed by the nominative case for identity ('Er ist bekannt als ein guter Lehrer'). At this level, learners also begin to use 'bekannt' in more abstract and passive constructions. They encounter phrases like 'wie bekannt ist' (as is known) or 'es wurde bekannt, dass...' (it became known that...), which are essential for reading news articles and expressing opinions. The distinction between synonyms like 'berühmt', 'populär', and 'bekannt' is explicitly taught, enabling learners to choose the most appropriate word for their intended nuance. B1 students use 'bekannt' to articulate detailed descriptions, summarize information, and engage in discussions about culture and media.
Reaching the B2 level signifies a transition towards independent and nuanced language use. Learners at this stage utilize 'bekannt' in complex sentence structures and idiomatic expressions. They are comfortable with advanced passive constructions, such as 'etwas bekannt geben' (to announce something) or 'bekannt gemacht werden' (to be made known). These phrases are frequently used in formal writing, business contexts, and news reports, which B2 students regularly consume and produce. The concept of 'familiarity' is explored more deeply through reflexive verbs and prepositional phrases, such as 'sich mit etwas bekannt machen' (to familiarize oneself with something), which is crucial for academic or professional environments (e.g., 'Ich muss mich mit der neuen Software bekannt machen'). B2 learners also master the comparative and superlative forms—'bekannter' and 'am bekanntesten'—using them seamlessly in debates and essays to compare the prominence of different figures or concepts. Furthermore, they refine their understanding of nominalized adjectives, using plural forms like 'die Bekannten' correctly in all cases. The focus at B2 is on precision, register, and the ability to use 'bekannt' in both highly formal and casual idiomatic contexts without hesitation.
At the C1 level, learners possess an advanced, near-native command of 'bekannt'. They employ the word effortlessly in highly complex, abstract, and academic discourse. The usage goes far beyond simple descriptions of fame; it involves subtle rhetorical devices and sophisticated idiomatic phrasing. C1 learners use expressions like 'allgemein bekannt' (generally known), 'weitgehend bekannt' (widely known), or 'kaum bekannt' (hardly known) to nuance their arguments in essays and presentations. They are adept at using 'bekannt' in participial constructions and extended modifier phrases, a hallmark of advanced German syntax (e.g., 'der durch seine kontroversen Thesen bekannt gewordene Professor' - the professor who became known through his controversial theses). At this level, learners also understand and actively use related derivations and compound words, such as 'der Bekanntheitsgrad' (level of awareness/fame) or 'der Bekanntenkreis' (circle of acquaintances). They can seamlessly navigate the subtle emotional and stylistic differences between 'bekannt', 'vertraut', 'renommiert' (renowned), and 'berüchtigt' (infamous), selecting the exact term required for literary analysis, professional correspondence, or high-level debate. The focus is on stylistic elegance and absolute grammatical precision.
At the C2 level, the mastery of 'bekannt' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. Learners at this stage manipulate the word with complete flexibility across all conceivable registers, from highly colloquial slang to dense academic or legal texts. They intuitively grasp historical or cultural allusions tied to the word and can play with its meaning for ironic or rhetorical effect. For example, they might use 'ein altbekanntes Problem' (a well-known/age-old problem) to express weariness in a socio-political discussion. C2 users effortlessly construct and deconstruct the most complex German sentences involving 'bekannt', including nested relative clauses and highly specific prepositional objects. They are entirely comfortable with archaic or highly formal uses, such as 'es sei hiermit bekannt gemacht' (let it hereby be known), often found in official decrees or literature. Furthermore, they can invent or perfectly understand spontaneous compound nouns involving 'bekannt' to fit a specific conversational need. At this ultimate level of proficiency, 'bekannt' is not just a vocabulary word to be translated, but a conceptual tool used to navigate and articulate the deepest complexities of the German language and culture.

Bekannt في 30 ثانية

  • Means 'known', 'famous', or 'familiar'.
  • Can be used as a noun: 'der Bekannte' (acquaintance).
  • Often paired with 'für' (known for) or 'als' (known as).
  • Opposite is 'unbekannt' (unknown).
The German adjective 'bekannt' is an incredibly versatile and frequently used word that forms a cornerstone of basic to advanced German vocabulary. At its core, it translates primarily to 'known', 'famous', or 'familiar' in English, depending heavily on the context in which it is used. To truly understand what it means, we must look at its linguistic origins and morphological structure. It derives from the past participle of the verb 'bekennen' (to confess or acknowledge) and is closely related to the root verb 'kennen', which means to know a person, place, or thing. When you describe someone or something as 'bekannt', you are essentially saying that they are recognized by many people or are familiar to you personally. This dual meaning—famous versus familiar—is crucial for learners to grasp early on.
Familiarity
When used to mean familiar, it often refers to personal knowledge of a subject or person.
For instance, 'ein Bekannter von mir' refers to an acquaintance, someone who is known to you but not necessarily famous. The distinction often relies on the context and the grammatical structure of the sentence.

Das Gesicht kommt mir bekannt vor.

In this example, the phrase 'bekannt vorkommen' means to seem familiar. This is a very common expression in everyday German. Furthermore, 'bekannt' can mean 'famous' or 'well-known' when referring to public figures, landmarks, or concepts.
Fame
In the context of fame, it implies wide public recognition, similar to 'berühmt'.

Albert Einstein ist ein sehr bekannter Wissenschaftler.

Here, the adjective is declined and used attributively to describe the noun. The flexibility of 'bekannt' allows it to function both predicatively (Der Mann ist bekannt) and attributively (Der bekannte Mann).

Diese Tatsache ist allgemein bekannt.

When used with 'allgemein', it means 'generally known' or 'common knowledge'. This highlights how 'bekannt' transcends simple personal familiarity and enters the realm of collective knowledge.
Acquaintance
As a nominalized adjective, 'der/die Bekannte' means an acquaintance.

Ich treffe mich heute mit einem Bekannten.

This nominalization is a key feature of German grammar, where adjectives can be turned into nouns while retaining their adjective declension endings. To summarize, 'bekannt' is a multifaceted word that bridges the gap between personal familiarity and public fame.

Ist dir dieses Lied bekannt?

By mastering its various applications, learners can significantly enhance their expressive capabilities in German, moving beyond simple vocabulary to nuanced communication.
Using the adjective 'bekannt' correctly requires an understanding of German sentence structure, adjective declension, and specific prepositions that alter its meaning. Because it is an adjective, it can be used in three primary ways: predicatively, attributively, and as a nominalized noun. When used predicatively, 'bekannt' follows a linking verb like 'sein' (to be) or 'werden' (to become) and does not take any declension endings. This is the simplest way to use the word and is highly recommended for beginners.

Der Schauspieler ist sehr bekannt.

In this sentence, 'bekannt' remains in its base form. However, when used attributively, meaning it comes directly before a noun to describe it, it must be declined according to the gender, number, and case of the noun, as well as the preceding article.
Attributive Use
Requires adjective endings based on the case and gender of the following noun.

Das ist ein bekannter Film.

Here, 'bekannter' takes the '-er' ending because 'Film' is masculine, nominative, and follows the indefinite article 'ein'. Another crucial aspect of using 'bekannt' is its combination with prepositions. The most common combinations are 'bekannt für' (known for) and 'bekannt als' (known as).
Bekannt für
Used with the accusative case to indicate the reason for someone's or something's fame.

Deutschland ist bekannt für sein gutes Brot.

This structure is incredibly useful for describing countries, cities, or public figures. Conversely, 'bekannt als' is used to indicate the identity or role for which someone is known.
Bekannt als
Used with the nominative case to state the title or role of the known entity.

Er ist bekannt als ein strenger Lehrer.

Furthermore, you can use the phrase 'sich bekannt machen mit' to mean 'to familiarize oneself with'.

Ich muss mich mit den neuen Regeln bekannt machen.

Mastering these prepositional phrases and declension rules will elevate your German from basic to highly proficient, allowing you to express complex ideas about fame, familiarity, and identity with ease and accuracy.
The word 'bekannt' is ubiquitous in the German language, appearing across a wide spectrum of contexts ranging from casual daily conversations to formal news broadcasts and literary texts. Because it encompasses the concepts of both fame and familiarity, its application is incredibly broad. In everyday life, you will frequently hear 'bekannt' when people are discussing media, entertainment, or personal acquaintances. For example, when friends are talking about movies or music, they might debate whether a particular artist is well-known.

Diese Band ist hier sehr bekannt.

In this casual setting, 'bekannt' serves as a quick way to gauge shared cultural knowledge.
Media Context
Frequently used in journalism to introduce public figures or established facts.
In news media and journalism, 'bekannt' is a staple vocabulary word. News anchors and journalists use it to describe public figures, politicians, or widely recognized events.

Wie bekannt wurde, hat der Minister zurückgetreten.

The phrase 'wie bekannt wurde' (as it became known) is a standard journalistic formula used to introduce breaking news or recently revealed information.
Formal Announcements
Used in official contexts to declare information to the public.

Die Ergebnisse werden morgen bekannt gegeben.

Furthermore, in social situations, particularly when networking or meeting new people, the nominalized form 'der/die Bekannte' is constantly used to describe the relationship between individuals.

Er ist nur ein Bekannter, kein enger Freund.

This distinction between a 'Freund' (friend) and a 'Bekannter' (acquaintance) is culturally significant in Germany, where the term 'Freund' is reserved for very close relationships.
Tourism
Commonly found in travel guides to highlight famous landmarks.
Finally, in the context of tourism and travel, 'bekannt' is used extensively to highlight attractions.

Das Brandenburger Tor ist das bekannteste Wahrzeichen Berlins.

Whether you are reading a newspaper, chatting at a café, or exploring a new city, 'bekannt' is a word you will encounter continuously.
While 'bekannt' is a fundamental vocabulary word, learners frequently make specific errors regarding its nuances, grammatical application, and differentiation from similar words. One of the most prevalent mistakes is confusing 'bekannt' with 'berühmt'. While both can translate to 'famous', 'berühmt' implies a much higher level of international or historical fame and prestige, whereas 'bekannt' simply means well-known or widely recognized.
Bekannt vs. Berühmt
Use 'bekannt' for local or general recognition, and 'berühmt' for superstar-level fame.

Der lokale Bäcker ist bekannt, aber Michael Jackson ist berühmt.

Calling a local baker 'berühmt' would sound exaggerated to a native speaker. Another common grammatical error involves the incorrect use of prepositions. Learners often directly translate 'known for' as 'bekannt für', which is correct, but they might mistakenly use the dative case instead of the accusative case after 'für'.

Er ist bekannt für seinen guten Humor. (Correct)

Furthermore, learners often struggle with the nominalized form 'der/die Bekannte'. Because it derives from an adjective, it must take adjective endings, unlike standard nouns.
Nominalization Errors
Forgetting to decline 'der Bekannte' in different cases is a frequent error.

Ich sehe einen Bekannten. (Not: Ich sehe einen Bekannte)

This requires a solid grasp of weak, strong, and mixed adjective declensions. Another subtle mistake is using 'bekannt' when 'vertraut' (familiar) would be more emotionally appropriate.
Emotional Familiarity
'Vertraut' implies a deep, emotional familiarity, whereas 'bekannt' is more objective.

Ihre Stimme ist mir sehr vertraut. (Better than bekannt if it's a loved one)

Lastly, learners sometimes confuse the verb 'kennen' (to know) with the adjective 'bekannt'. While related, they function differently in a sentence.

Ich kenne ihn, er ist sehr bekannt.

By avoiding these common pitfalls, learners can use 'bekannt' with the precision and confidence of a native speaker.
Expanding your vocabulary involves not just learning a single word, but understanding its synonyms and related terms to express yourself with greater nuance. The word 'bekannt' has several synonyms that vary slightly in meaning, register, and emotional tone. The most common synonym is 'berühmt', which translates to 'famous'. As discussed previously, 'berühmt' carries a stronger connotation of widespread acclaim and prestige.
Berühmt
Used for individuals or things with immense, often international, fame and historical significance.

Mozart ist ein berühmter Komponist.

Another closely related word is 'populär', which means 'popular'. While someone who is 'bekannt' is known by many, someone who is 'populär' is not only known but also well-liked by the masses.
Populär
Implies that the subject is favored or beloved by a large group of people.

Fußball ist ein sehr populärer Sport in Deutschland.

For the 'familiar' aspect of 'bekannt', the word 'vertraut' is an excellent alternative. 'Vertraut' implies a deeper, more intimate level of familiarity, often associated with trust or long-term exposure.
Vertraut
Denotes an intimate, trusted familiarity, often emotional.

Wir sind miteinander sehr vertraut.

In formal or journalistic contexts, you might encounter 'prominent', which refers to someone who is important, distinguished, and well-known, often in society or politics.

Ein prominenter Politiker hielt die Rede.

On the negative side, if someone is known for bad reasons, the word 'berüchtigt' (notorious or infamous) is used.

Der Pirat war berüchtigt für seine Grausamkeit.

By understanding these subtle differences—berühmt for fame, populär for popularity, vertraut for intimacy, prominent for status, and berüchtigt for infamy—you can choose the exact word that fits your intended meaning, making your German much more expressive and precise.

How Formal Is It?

مستوى الصعوبة

قواعد يجب معرفتها

Adjective Declension (Attributive Use)

Prepositions with Accusative (für)

Prepositions with Nominative (als)

Nominalization of Adjectives

Passive Voice (werden + bekannt gegeben)

أمثلة حسب المستوى

1

Der Mann ist bekannt.

The man is known/famous.

Predicative use, no declension.

2

Ist das Buch bekannt?

Is the book famous?

Question structure with predicative adjective.

3

Die Stadt ist sehr bekannt.

The city is very famous.

Use of 'sehr' to intensify the adjective.

4

Das ist mir bekannt.

That is known to me.

Use with dative pronoun 'mir'.

5

Er ist ein bekannter Mann.

He is a famous man.

Basic attributive use, masculine nominative.

6

Sie ist nicht bekannt.

She is not famous.

Negation with 'nicht'.

7

Das Lied ist überall bekannt.

The song is known everywhere.

Adverb 'überall' modifying the adjective.

8

Wir kennen den bekannten Ort.

We know the famous place.

Accusative case attributive use.

1

Das ist ein bekannter Film.

That is a famous movie.

Mixed declension, masculine nominative.

2

Ich treffe heute einen Bekannten.

I am meeting an acquaintance today.

Nominalized adjective in accusative.

3

Sie ist eine bekannte Autorin.

She is a famous author.

Feminine nominative declension.

4

Berlin ist bekannt für das Tor.

Berlin is known for the gate.

Preposition 'für' + accusative.

5

Das Gesicht kommt mir bekannt vor.

The face seems familiar to me.

Separable verb 'vorkommen'.

6

Wir sprechen über bekannte Leute.

We are talking about famous people.

Plural declension without article.

7

Er hat viele Bekannte.

He has many acquaintances.

Plural nominalized adjective.

8

Ist das ein bekanntes Problem?

Is that a known problem?

Neuter nominative declension.

1

Der Autor ist bekannt für seine Romane.

The author is known for his novels.

'bekannt für' with plural accusative.

2

Er ist als strenger Lehrer bekannt.

He is known as a strict teacher.

'bekannt als' + nominative.

3

Wie allgemein bekannt ist, raucht er nicht.

As is generally known, he doesn't smoke.

Passive-like construction 'wie bekannt ist'.

4

Ich muss mich mit der Stadt bekannt machen.

I need to familiarize myself with the city.

Reflexive phrase 'sich bekannt machen mit'.

5

Die Ergebnisse werden morgen bekannt gegeben.

The results will be announced tomorrow.

Passive voice with 'bekannt geben'.

6

Sie gehört zu meinem Bekanntenkreis.

She belongs to my circle of acquaintances.

Compound noun 'Bekanntenkreis'.

7

Das ist der bekannteste Berg hier.

That is the most famous mountain here.

Superlative form 'bekannteste'.

8

Es wurde gestern bekannt, dass er geht.

It became known yesterday that he is leaving.

Impersonal 'es wurde bekannt'.

1

Sein Bekanntheitsgrad ist in den letzten Jahren enorm gestiegen.

His level of fame has risen enormously in recent years.

Use of compound noun 'Bekanntheitsgrad'.

2

Wir müssen die neuen Richtlinien im Team bekannt machen.

We need to make the new guidelines known in the team.

Transitive use of 'bekannt machen'.

3

Es ist eine altbekannte Tatsache, dass Übung den Meister macht.

It is a well-known fact that practice makes perfect.

Compound adjective 'altbekannt'.

4

Trotz seines Erfolgs blieb er einer breiten Öffentlichkeit unbekannt.

Despite his success, he remained unknown to the general public.

Use of antonym 'unbekannt' with dative.

5

Die Band spielte all ihre bekannten Hits.

The band played all their famous hits.

Plural declension after 'all ihre'.

6

Darf ich Sie mit meiner Kollegin bekannt machen?

May I introduce you to my colleague?

Formal introduction using 'bekannt machen'.

7

Er ist ein weithin bekannter Experte auf diesem Gebiet.

He is a widely known expert in this field.

Adverb 'weithin' modifying the adjective.

8

Aus bisher nicht bekannten Gründen fiel der Strom aus.

For reasons not yet known, the power went out.

Extended modifier phrase.

1

Der durch seine provokanten Thesen bekannt gewordene Autor hielt einen Vortrag.

The author, who became famous through his provocative theses, gave a lecture.

Extended participial attribute (erweitertes Partizipialattribut).

2

Es wird vorausgesetzt, dass die Grundlagen der Grammatik als bekannt gelten.

It is assumed that the basics of grammar are considered known.

Phrase 'als bekannt gelten'.

3

Sie bewegt sich in den Kreisen der stadtbekannten Prominenz.

She moves in the circles of the town's well-known celebrities.

Compound adjective 'stadtbekannt'.

4

Die genauen Umstände der Tat sind nach wie vor nicht bekannt.

The exact circumstances of the crime remain unknown.

Formal phrasing 'nach wie vor nicht bekannt'.

5

Wir bitten darum, Änderungen der Adresse unverzüglich bekannt zu geben.

We request that changes of address be announced immediately.

Formal imperative structure.

6

Er berief sich auf eine gerichtsbekannte Tatsache.

He invoked a fact known to the court.

Legal terminology 'gerichtsbekannt'.

7

Das Phänomen ist in der Fachwelt unter einem anderen Namen bekannt.

The phenomenon is known in the professional world under a different name.

Prepositional phrase 'unter einem Namen bekannt'.

8

Es ist ein offenes Geheimnis und somit allseits bekannt.

It is an open secret and therefore known to everyone.

Adverb 'allseits' (on all sides/by everyone).

1

Es sei hiermit bekannt gemacht, dass die Verordnung in Kraft tritt.

Let it hereby be known that the regulation comes into effect.

Archaic/highly formal subjunctive 'sei hiermit bekannt gemacht'.

2

Er bediente sich einer altbekannten, fast schon klischeehaften Rhetorik.

He employed a well-known, almost clichéd rhetoric.

Nuanced critique using 'altbekannt'.

3

Die notorisch bekannten Schwachstellen des Systems wurden ignoriert.

The notoriously known weaknesses of the system were ignored.

Combination of 'notorisch' and 'bekannt'.

4

In Ermangelung besserer Alternativen griff man auf das Bekannte zurück.

In the absence of better alternatives, they fell back on the familiar.

Nominalized neuter 'das Bekannte' representing an abstract concept.

5

Ihre Werke sind über die Landesgrenzen hinaus wohlbekannt.

Her works are well-known beyond the national borders.

Compound 'wohlbekannt' and complex prepositional phrase.

6

Man darf das als bekannt voraussetzen, ohne belehrend zu wirken.

One may assume that as known, without appearing pedantic.

Infinitive construction with 'voraussetzen'.

7

Der weltbekannte Virtuose brillierte mit einer beispiellosen Darbietung.

The world-famous virtuoso shone with an unprecedented performance.

High-register vocabulary and compound 'weltbekannt'.

8

Die Aktenlage ist dem Gremium vollumfänglich bekannt.

The state of the files is fully known to the committee.

Bureaucratic register 'vollumfänglich bekannt'.

تلازمات شائعة

weltweit bekannt
allgemein bekannt
bekannt für
bekannt als
bekannt geben
bekannt machen
ein bekannter Autor
mir bekannt

يُخلط عادةً مع

Bekannt vs berühmt

Bekannt vs kennen

Bekannt vs verwandt

سهل الخلط

Bekannt vs

Bekannt vs

Bekannt vs

Bekannt vs

Bekannt vs

أنماط الجُمل

كيفية الاستخدام

context

Widely used in both spoken and written German.

nuances

Can range from simple familiarity to international fame depending on context.

exceptions

Does not take an umlaut in comparative/superlative forms (bekannter, am bekanntesten).

أخطاء شائعة
  • Using 'berühmt' instead of 'bekannt' for local fame.
  • Forgetting to decline 'der Bekannte'.
  • Using dative after 'bekannt für'.
  • Confusing 'kennen' and 'bekannt'.
  • Using 'bekannt' for emotional familiarity.

نصائح

Adjective Declension

Always remember to decline 'bekannt' when it comes before a noun. For example, 'ein bekannter Mann', 'eine bekannte Frau', 'ein bekanntes Kind'. Review your adjective ending charts!

Bekannt vs. Freund

Use 'Bekannter' for casual acquaintances (coworkers, neighbors you chat with). Reserve 'Freund' for people you deeply trust and spend significant personal time with.

Sound like a Native

Memorize the phrase 'Das kommt mir bekannt vor' (That seems familiar to me). It's incredibly useful when you recognize a place, a face, or a story but can't quite place it.

Accusative with Für

When using 'bekannt für' (known for), the following noun must be in the accusative case. E.g., 'bekannt für den guten Wein' (known for the good wine).

Journalistic Style

If you are writing a formal essay or report, use 'wie allgemein bekannt ist' (as is generally known) to introduce a widely accepted fact. It sounds very professional.

Synonym Variety

Don't just use 'bekannt'. Mix it up with 'berühmt' for huge stars, 'populär' for well-liked things, and 'vertraut' for intimate familiarity to enrich your vocabulary.

News Broadcasts

When listening to German news, listen for the verb 'bekanntgeben' (to announce). It is used constantly by news anchors when reporting official statements.

Bunter Hund

If you want to impress a German speaker, use the idiom 'bekannt wie ein bunter Hund' to describe someone who is known by absolutely everyone in a specific area.

Capitalization

If you use 'bekannt' as a noun (der Bekannte), you MUST capitalize it. If it's an adjective (der bekannte Mann), it remains lowercase.

Stress the Second Syllable

Make sure you emphasize the 'kannt' part of the word. Saying BE-kannt sounds unnatural; it should be be-KANNT.

احفظها

وسيلة تذكّر

Think of 'be-KANT'. Immanuel Kant is a very KNOWN and FAMOUS philosopher.

أصل الكلمة

Middle High German

السياق الثقافي

Using 'Bekannter' instead of 'Freund' maintains appropriate social distance.

Calling someone 'bekannt wie ein bunter Hund' is a slightly humorous, affectionate way to say they know everyone in town.

Understood universally across all German-speaking regions.

تدرّب في الحياة الواقعية

سياقات واقعية

بدايات محادثة

"Ist dieser Sänger in deinem Land bekannt?"

"Kennst du einen bekannten Ort in Berlin?"

"Woher ist dir das bekannt?"

"Darf ich dich mit einem Bekannten bekannt machen?"

"Wofür ist deine Heimatstadt bekannt?"

مواضيع للكتابة اليومية

Schreibe über eine bekannte Person, die du bewunderst.

Beschreibe einen Ort, der für sein Essen bekannt ist.

Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einem Freund und einem Bekannten für dich?

Erzähle von einem Moment, in dem dir etwas sehr bekannt vorkam.

Welches Buch sollte deiner Meinung nach bekannter sein?

الأسئلة الشائعة

10 أسئلة

'Bekannt' simply means that someone or something is known by many people or is familiar to you. 'Berühmt' translates to 'famous' and carries a much stronger connotation of international acclaim, historical significance, or superstar status. You would call a local popular baker 'bekannt', but Albert Einstein 'berühmt'.

You use the phrase 'bekannt für' followed by the accusative case. For example, 'Deutschland ist bekannt für sein Brot' (Germany is known for its bread). Remember that 'für' always takes the accusative case in German.

Yes, through a process called nominalization. You can capitalize it to form 'der Bekannte' (the male acquaintance) or 'die Bekannte' (the female acquaintance). However, because it derives from an adjective, it must still take adjective declension endings based on the case.

This is a very common separable verb phrase that means 'to seem familiar'. If you see someone and think you know them, you can say 'Das Gesicht kommt mir bekannt vor' (The face seems familiar to me). It uses the dative pronoun (mir, dir, ihm, etc.).

Absolutely. It is very common in journalism and official announcements. Phrases like 'es wurde bekannt gegeben' (it was announced) or 'wie bekannt ist' (as is known) are standard in formal German writing and news broadcasts.

The direct opposite is 'unbekannt', which means unknown. You can use it in the exact same grammatical structures, such as 'ein unbekannter Autor' (an unknown author) or 'Die Ursache ist unbekannt' (The cause is unknown).

You use the phrase 'bekannt als' followed by the nominative case. For example, 'Er ist bekannt als ein strenger Lehrer' (He is known as a strict teacher). This is used to describe a person's role, title, or reputation.

The comparative form is 'bekannter' (more known/more famous), and the superlative is 'am bekanntesten' (most known/most famous). Unlike some German adjectives, it does not take an umlaut in these forms.

No, that would be culturally incorrect and slightly insulting. 'Ein Bekannter' specifically means an acquaintance—someone you know, but not deeply. For a close friend, you must use the word 'Freund' or 'Freundin'.

No, it often just means 'familiar' or 'known'. If you say 'Das Lied ist mir bekannt', you are just saying 'I know this song' or 'This song is familiar to me', not necessarily that the song is globally famous.

اختبر نفسك 200 أسئلة

writing

Write a simple sentence stating that a movie is famous.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'bekannt für'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence using 'bekannt als'.

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
writing

Write a sentence using the phrase 'kommt mir bekannt vor'.

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writing

Write a sentence introducing an acquaintance (der Bekannte).

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writing

Write a sentence using 'bekannt geben'.

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writing

Write a sentence using the comparative form 'bekannter'.

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writing

Write a sentence using the superlative form 'am bekanntesten'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'unbekannt'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'weltbekannt'.

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writing

Describe your hometown using 'bekannt für'.

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writing

Explain the difference between 'Freund' and 'Bekannter' in one sentence.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'Bekanntenkreis'.

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writing

Write a formal sentence using 'wie allgemein bekannt ist'.

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writing

Write a sentence using 'sich bekannt machen mit'.

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writing

Write a sentence using the idiom 'bekannt wie ein bunter Hund'.

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writing

Write a sentence describing a famous actor (ein bekannter Schauspieler).

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writing

Write a sentence describing a famous singer (eine bekannte Sängerin).

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writing

Write a sentence describing a famous book (ein bekanntes Buch).

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writing

Write a sentence using 'altbekannt'.

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speaking

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
speaking

Read this aloud:

صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

Is the movie famous?

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صحيح! ليس تمامًا. الإجابة الصحيحة:
listening

What is he known for?

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listening

What is she known as?

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listening

Does it seem familiar?

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listening

Is he a close friend?

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listening

When will the news be announced?

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listening

Is the author famous?

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listening

Is she known globally?

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listening

Is it a secret?

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listening

Is he well-known locally?

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listening

Who is the person meeting?

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listening

Is it a new fact?

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listening

Is the circle of acquaintances small?

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listening

What is Munich known for?

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listening

Is the level of fame low?

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/ 200 correct

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