15초 만에
- To take responsibility for a mistake you made.
- Used in professional, personal, and emotional contexts.
- Shows maturity and honesty in German culture.
뜻
It’s about owning up to something you did wrong. Instead of making excuses, you step up and say, 'Yeah, that was me.'
주요 예문
3 / 6In a team meeting
Ich muss mir diesen Fehler eingestehen, ich habe die Daten falsch berechnet.
I have to admit this mistake; I calculated the data incorrectly.
Talking to a partner
Es fällt mir schwer, aber ich gestehe meinen Fehler ein.
It's hard for me, but I admit my mistake.
Texting a friend about being late
Sorry, mein Fehler! Muss ich wohl eingestehen, dass ich den Bus verpasst habe.
Sorry, my bad! I guess I have to admit I missed the bus.
문화적 배경
The concept of 'Fehlerkultur' is central to modern German management. It encourages employees to admit mistakes early to prevent larger problems later. Admitting a mistake often involves a formal apology (謝罪 - shazai). In business, this can be very ritualized compared to the more direct German approach. In the US, admitting a mistake is often framed as 'taking ownership'. It is seen as a leadership quality, similar to the German view but often more focused on individual 'can-do' attitude. Similar to Germany, but the language might be slightly more indirect or polite ('Hofhöflichkeit'). However, 'eingestehen' remains the standard formal term.
The 'Self' Trick
If you are talking about a realization you had, always use the reflexive 'sich' (Dative). 'Ich muss mir eingestehen...' sounds very natural and thoughtful.
Don't forget the 'ein'
Without 'ein', 'gestehen' sounds like you are in a police station confessing to a bank robbery.
15초 만에
- To take responsibility for a mistake you made.
- Used in professional, personal, and emotional contexts.
- Shows maturity and honesty in German culture.
What It Means
It means saying "I messed up."
You stop making excuses.
You take full responsibility.
It is about being honest.
It shows you have character.
It is more than just an apology.
It is an internal realization.
You accept the consequences.
You stop pointing fingers at others.
It is a sign of maturity.
Everyone makes mistakes sometimes.
Admitting them is the first step.
It clears the air immediately.
It helps everyone move forward.
It is a very human act.
How To Use It
Use it like a normal verb.
The verb is eingestehen.
It is a separable verb.
In a sentence: Ich gestehe den Fehler ein.
The ein goes to the end.
You can also use it with sich.
Ich muss mir den Fehler eingestehen.
This means admitting it to yourself.
It is often used in the infinitive.
Es ist wichtig, Fehler einzugestehen.
Use it with a serious tone.
It carries some emotional weight.
Don't rush when you say it.
When To Use It
Use it in the office.
If you missed a deadline.
Your boss will appreciate the honesty.
Use it with your partner.
If you forgot a special date.
It shows you care about them.
Use it during a deep talk.
It builds a lot of trust.
Use it in sports too.
If you caused the team to lose.
It shows you are a team player.
Use it when texting a friend.
If you are late for coffee.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it for tiny things.
If you dropped a spoon, don't use it.
That would be way too dramatic.
Don't use it for others' mistakes.
That is just blaming them.
It is about your own actions.
Don't use it if you aren't sorry.
People can tell if you are lying.
Don't use it in very casual slang.
It might sound a bit too stiff.
Keep it for meaningful moments.
Cultural Background
Germans value directness and honesty.
There is a concept called Fehlerkultur.
It means learning from your mistakes.
Companies try to encourage this now.
Admitting a mistake is highly respected.
It is better than hiding it.
Hiding it is seen as weak.
Germans prefer the truth over politeness.
It saves time for everyone involved.
It is part of being a professional.
It is also part of being a friend.
Integrity is a very big deal here.
Common Variations
You might hear einen Fehler zugeben.
That is very common and similar.
Eingestehen feels a bit more formal.
It involves more self-reflection.
You can also say zu seinen Fehlern stehen.
That means "standing by your mistakes."
It implies you take the blame.
Another one is einen Fehler einräumen.
Politicians use this one a lot.
It sounds very official and careful.
Stick to eingestehen for personal growth.
사용 참고사항
This phrase is neutral to formal. It is highly effective in professional environments to build trust. Avoid using it for trivial matters to keep its impact strong.
The 'Self' Trick
If you are talking about a realization you had, always use the reflexive 'sich' (Dative). 'Ich muss mir eingestehen...' sounds very natural and thoughtful.
Don't forget the 'ein'
Without 'ein', 'gestehen' sounds like you are in a police station confessing to a bank robbery.
Job Interview Gold
Use this phrase when asked about your weaknesses. It shows you have 'Reflexionsvermögen' (the ability to reflect).
예시
6Ich muss mir diesen Fehler eingestehen, ich habe die Daten falsch berechnet.
I have to admit this mistake; I calculated the data incorrectly.
Shows professional accountability.
Es fällt mir schwer, aber ich gestehe meinen Fehler ein.
It's hard for me, but I admit my mistake.
Used in an emotional, personal context.
Sorry, mein Fehler! Muss ich wohl eingestehen, dass ich den Bus verpasst habe.
Sorry, my bad! I guess I have to admit I missed the bus.
Casual use of the phrase.
Ich gestehe ein: Die Pizza war doch zu scharf für mich.
I admit it: The pizza was too spicy for me after all.
Lighthearted use of a serious phrase.
Du solltest einfach deinen Fehler eingestehen und weitermachen.
You should just admit your mistake and move on.
Giving friendly advice.
Wir müssen uns den Fehler eingestehen und die Strategie ändern.
We must admit the mistake and change the strategy.
Very formal and collective responsibility.
셀프 테스트
Fülle die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'eingestehen'.
Gestern ________ der Politiker seinen schweren {der|m} Fehler ________.
In the simple past (Präteritum), the verb is 'gestand' and the prefix 'ein' goes to the end.
Welcher Satz ist richtig?
A: Ich muss mir eingestehen, dass ich Hilfe brauche. B: Ich muss mich eingestehen, dass ich Hilfe brauche.
The reflexive use of 'eingestehen' requires the Dative pronoun 'mir', not the Accusative 'mich'.
Vervollständige den Dialog.
Chef: 'Warum ist das {das|n} Projekt gescheitert?' Angestellter: 'Ich muss ehrlich sein und...'
The context requires taking responsibility, which is 'einen Fehler eingestehen'.
Welches Verb passt am besten?
Du hast den {der|m} Geburtstag deiner {die|f} Mutter vergessen. Du sagst es ihr.
While 'eingestehen' is possible, 'zugeben' is more natural for small personal mistakes. 'Beichten' (confess) is also possible if it feels like a 'sin'.
🎉 점수: /4
시각 학습 자료
Formal vs. Informal
연습 문제 은행
4 연습 문제Gestern ________ der Politiker seinen schweren {der|m} Fehler ________.
In the simple past (Präteritum), the verb is 'gestand' and the prefix 'ein' goes to the end.
A: Ich muss mir eingestehen, dass ich Hilfe brauche. B: Ich muss mich eingestehen, dass ich Hilfe brauche.
The reflexive use of 'eingestehen' requires the Dative pronoun 'mir', not the Accusative 'mich'.
Chef: 'Warum ist das {das|n} Projekt gescheitert?' Angestellter: 'Ich muss ehrlich sein und...'
The context requires taking responsibility, which is 'einen Fehler eingestehen'.
Du hast den {der|m} Geburtstag deiner {die|f} Mutter vergessen. Du sagst es ihr.
While 'eingestehen' is possible, 'zugeben' is more natural for small personal mistakes. 'Beichten' (confess) is also possible if it feels like a 'sin'.
🎉 점수: /4
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문Neither is 'better', but 'eingestehen' is more formal and suggests more sincerity. Use 'zugeben' for 'I admit I ate the last cookie' and 'eingestehen' for 'I admit I failed the project'.
No, 'eingestehen' is almost exclusively used for mistakes, weaknesses, or unpleasant truths.
Präteritum: 'gestand ein'. Perfekt: 'hat eingestanden'.
The mistake itself is Accusative ('den Fehler'). If you admit it to yourself, the 'self' is Dative ('mir').
Yes, but the pronunciation of 'stehen' will differ (often 'stah'). In formal writing, it's the same.
Yes, but it sounds very dramatic, like a religious confession or a very high-stakes public admission.
'Einräumen' is often used when you were previously denying something and now you 'concede' it. 'Eingestehen' feels more voluntary.
Ich kann es nicht eingestehen, dass ich unrecht habe. (Or: Ich kann mir meine {die|f} Fehler nicht eingestehen.)
Not really. In texts, people usually use 'zugeben' or just say 'Sorry, mein {der|m} Fehler'.
Yes, very common. 'Er gestand ein, dass er gelogen hatte.'
관련 표현
einen {der|m} Fehler zugeben
synonymTo admit a mistake.
einen {der|m} Fehler einräumen
synonymTo concede a mistake.
Verantwortung übernehmen
builds onTo take responsibility.
sich zu etwas bekennen
similarTo profess or commit to something.
