Meaning
To maintain confidentiality about something.
Cultural Background
The 'Schweigepflicht' is a sacred concept in German law, covering not just doctors but also social workers and mountain guides in some contexts. Historically, the 'Bankgeheimnis' was a defining part of Swiss national identity and economic policy, though it has been loosened recently. Discretion ('Diskretion') is highly valued in Austrian social circles, especially in the traditional Viennese 'Kaffeehaus' culture. German companies often have very strict 'Geheimhaltungsvereinbarungen' (NDAs) that employees must sign.
Professionalism
Use 'wahren' in emails to show you are a serious professional.
Don't overdo it
Don't use 'wahren' for gossip about what someone ate for breakfast.
Meaning
To maintain confidentiality about something.
Professionalism
Use 'wahren' in emails to show you are a serious professional.
Don't overdo it
Don't use 'wahren' for gossip about what someone ate for breakfast.
Legal German
If you see 'Wahrung' in a contract, it almost always refers to this concept.
Privacy
Germans value privacy highly; 'wahren' is a key word in this cultural framework.
Test Yourself
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'wahren'.
Ein guter Anwalt muss das Berufsgeheimnis immer ______.
'Wahren' is the standard collocation for professional secrets.
Welcher Satz ist am formellsten?
Wie sagt man 'I will keep your secret' in einem offiziellen Kontext?
'Wahren' is the most formal and professional choice.
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
A: Kann ich dir vertrauen? B: Ja, ich werde dein ______ ______.
This is the standard response to a request for trust.
In welcher Situation ist 'ein Geheimnis wahren' am wichtigsten?
Wählen Sie die beste Situation.
Confidentiality is a legal and ethical requirement in healthcare.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesEin guter Anwalt muss das Berufsgeheimnis immer ______.
'Wahren' is the standard collocation for professional secrets.
Wie sagt man 'I will keep your secret' in einem offiziellen Kontext?
'Wahren' is the most formal and professional choice.
A: Kann ich dir vertrauen? B: Ja, ich werde dein ______ ______.
This is the standard response to a request for trust.
Wählen Sie die beste Situation.
Confidentiality is a legal and ethical requirement in healthcare.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly, but 'wahren' is more formal and implies a duty to protect.
Yes, it is understood, but 'wahren' is more idiomatic for abstract things.
The opposite is 'verraten' (to betray) or 'preisgeben' (to reveal).
It is always '{das|n} Geheimnis' (neuter).
No, for physical objects use 'aufbewahren' or 'behalten'.
It is a regular verb: 'Ich wahrte', 'Ich habe gewahrt'.
No, it's too formal for slang. Use 'für sich behalten' instead.
It means to keep up appearances or follow etiquette.
Yes, they share a root related to 'observing the truth'.
Use 'geheim halten' for everyday things or when 'wahren' feels too heavy.
Related Phrases
Stillschweigen bewahren
synonymTo maintain silence
ein Geheimnis verraten
contrastTo betray a secret
die Form wahren
similarTo keep up appearances
etwas für sich behalten
similarTo keep something to oneself
ein Geheimnis hüten
similarTo guard a secret
