klårt

Klärt is the third-person singular present indicative form of the German verb klären. It means to clarify, explain, or make clear. In everyday language it is used when someone clarifies information, resolves a question, or clears up a misunderstanding. In scientific, administrative, or culinary contexts, klären can also mean to clarify a liquid or mixture by removing solids or impurities.

Etymology and form: klären derives from the adjective klar, meaning clear, with the typical German verb-forming suffix -en. The present tense involves a stem with umlaut variations in some forms (e.g., ich kläre, du klärst, er klärt). The word is closely related to other German terms for making things clear, such as aufklären (to illuminate or investigate) and erklären (to explain in more detail).

Usage and nuances: Klären conveys the act of resolving ambiguity or making something comprehensible. It is commonly used with questions, statements, or misunderstandings, as in der Sprecher klärt die Unstimmigkeiten auf. It can also describe a physical process of purification, as in den Wein klären (to clarify wine) or Wasser klären. In nuance, klären emphasizes removing confusion, whereas erklären emphasizes providing information or reasoning. Aufklären adds a sense of uncovering or investigating.

See also: Klärung (the process of clarifying or clearing up), Kläranlage (water treatment plant), klärendes Vorgehen (procedures to clarify). Related verbs include erklären (to explain) and aufklären (to elucidate or investigate).

Examples:

- Der Moderator klärt die Unstimmigkeiten in der Debatte.

- Der Wein wird geklärt, bevor er serviert wird.

- Die Lehrkraft klärt die Aufgabenstellung.