Anvertraut

Anvertraut is the past participle of the German verb anvertrauen, and it is used as an adjective meaning “entrusted to someone” or “confided to someone.” It describes objects, documents, or responsibilities that have been placed in someone’s care or confidence. It can function attributively (die anvertrauten Unterlagen, eine anvertraute Aufgabe) or predicatively (Die Akte ist mir anvertraut worden).

Etymology and usage context: The form combines the prefix an- with ver- and vertrouwen from vertrauen (to trust). The expression is common in formal and bureaucratic language. The related noun is das Anvertrauen, referring to the act of entrusting.

Usage notes and examples: In everyday German, anvertraut is often used for items, tasks, or duties assigned to a person. It contrasts with sich etwas anvertrauen, a reflexive construction meaning “to confide something to someone” (as in sharing a secret), whereas anvertraut emphasizes the act of entrusting something to another person. Examples: Die Akte wurde dem Rechtsanwalt anvertraut. Mir ist ein Geheimnis anvertraut worden. Die anvertrauten Daten müssen geschützt werden.

See also: vertrauen, anvertrauen, sich etwas anvertrauen, vertraulich.