klären

Klären is a German verb meaning to make clear, to clarify, or to settle a matter. It is used for both explaining or resolving something and for removing ambiguity or confusion. Common phrases include eine Frage klären (to settle a question), die Lage klären (to clarify the situation), or etwas erklären/klären (to explain or clarify something). The form of the verb can be combined with nouns to express the act of clarification, for example: die Klärung einer Angelegenheit (the clarification of an issue).

In scientific and technical contexts, klären also denotes a physical process: removing suspended particles from a liquid to produce a clear liquid. Methods include settling (sedimentation), filtration, and the use of clarification agents. This usage is common in winemaking, brewing, and juice processing, where die Klärung or geklärte Flüssigkeit refers to the clarified product. The word is frequently encountered in industries concerned with quality and stability of liquids.

The noun Klärung refers to the act or process of clarifying, as well as the broader idea of resolving a dispute or misunderstanding. A related term, Klarstellung, is often used in formal or legal contexts to denote an explicit clarification or correction. Etymologically, klären derives from klar (clear) with the verb suffix -en, with attestations dating back to Middle High German.