verb
to tell, to narrate
A1
'erzählen' means 'to tell' or 'to narrate'. It's a regular (weak) verb forming perfect with haben. Key patterns: jemandem etwas erzählen — person in dative, thing in accusative; erzählen von + Dativ to talk about something. Not reflexive; past participle 'erzählt', present 'erzählend'.
Examples
Sie erzählte von ihrem Urlaub.
She talked about her vacation.
Die Großmutter erzählte eine Geschichte, während die Kinder aufmerksam zuhörten.
The grandmother told a story while the children listened attentively.
Der Zeuge erzählt den Vorfall sehr genau vor Gericht.
The witness narrates the incident very precisely in court.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine someone opening their mouth and painting a story in the air with their hands as they 'erzählen' (tell).
Sounds like 'air-ZAY-len' — think 'air' + 'say' to remember 'erzählen'.
Notes
erzählen is a regular (weak) transitive verb typically used as 'jemandem etwas erzählen' (tell someone something). In perfect tenses it uses 'haben' (ich habe erzählt). Passive forms exist (es wird erzählt), but are less common with personal subjects.