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"Prefix Verbs Explained"
In this section we look at the prefix verbs one at a time.
In this episode:
A quick look at the meaning of "abgehen" and what stickers have to do with wild parties.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
"abhängen" is one German translation for "to depend". Today, we'll learn why it means that and how it connects to relaxing and taking down laundry.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
The verb "absehen" is not very common. But the noun "die Absicht". Today, we'll find out what it means and how to say "on purpose" in German.
Vocabulary:
absehen, die Absicht, beabsichtigen, absichtlich
In this episode:
A quick look at the meaning of "absetzen" and what glasses have to do with taxes, TV shows and high heels and paragraphs.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A quick look at "angeben" and how bragging is connected to bureaucracy, hearsay. And tennis.
Vocabulary:
angeben, die Angabe(n), angeblich, der Angeber
In this episode:
A fun look at "angehen" how (or if) its various meanings connect. Also: how to say "That's none of your business." and the super useful phrasing "was... angeht"
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A fun, detailed look at the super useful meanings of "ankommen" and what arriving has to do with depending and Germans say "It depends".
Vocabulary:
ankommen, ankommen auf, die Ankunft
In this episode:
We'll explore the different meanings of "anlegen" and the noun "die Anlage" and hopefully understand what taxes have to do with parks and challenges.
Vocabulary:
anlegen, sich anlegen mit, die Anlage, die Veranlagung
In this episode:
"anmachen" is one of the most common and most versatile prefix verbs. Today, we'll explore the various meanings and see what connects them all. Also: ranmachen.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A fun look at the meanings of "annehmen" and what assumptions have to do with accepting and comfort.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A fun look at the various meanings of "anstehen" and what waiting in line has to do with manners and letters on a board.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A quick look at the five (5!!) completely different meanings of "anstellen" and how they all connect. Definitely one of the craziest German prefix verbs.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
"auffallen" looks like an oxymoron - "to fall up". But it's actually a really useful translation for "to notice". Today, we'll learn why. Also: more verbs :)
Vocabulary:
auffallen, auffällig, die Auffälligkeit, unauffällig
In this episode:
We'll look at the various meaning(s) of "aufgehen" and see if and how they all connect. And then we'll talk about prices and how they always go up.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A quick look at "aufhalten" and what holding a door has to do with staying somewhere.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
"aufheben" means "to pick up". But it has a second really useful meaning. And a third meaning. This word is definitely a keeper (hint, hint).
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A fun look at "aufhören" . We'll learn when to use it, what the difference is to "anhalten", and why the heck it means "to stop". And it actually makes sense...
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A fun look at the meanings of "auflegen" and what dj-ing has to do with making phone calls and newspapers.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A quick look at "aufmachen" and why it doesn't only mean "to open". Also: a look at the secret behind the r-verion and the super useful "raufmachen".
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A fun look at the various meanings of "aufnehmen" and what a recording has to do with giving asylum to refugees and entry exams.
Vocabulary:
aufnehmen, die Aufnahme, die Notaufnahme, die Aufnahmeprüfung, raufnehmen
In this episode:
Today, we'll learn the difference between "aufwachen" and "(auf)wecken" and see when to use which. Special guest: "erwachen"
Vocabulary:
aufwachen, aufwecken, erwachen, wachen, die Wache
In this episode:
A quick look at the meanings of "ausfallen" and what cancelled meetings have to do with extraordinary dresses and electricity blackouts.
Vocabulary:
ausfallen, ausgefallen, der Ausfall, der Stromausfall, rausfallen
In this episode:
A fun look at the meaning of "ausgeben", a useful verb if you want to spend money, invite a friend for a drink or pretend to be a doctor.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A fun look at the various meanings of "ausgehen" and what party night has to do with assumptions. Also: what's up with "rausgehen".
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A quick look at the meaning of "aushalten" and its brother "raushalten" and what bearing has to do with not being involved.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
"auskommen" looks like "to come out". But it means something completely different. Today, we'll find out why and see how to actually say "come out" in German.
Vocabulary:
auskommen, rauskommen, die Auskunft, das Auskommen
In this episode:
What's the meaning(s) of "auslegen"? Does it mean "to lay out"? And what is the difference to "rauslegen"? All this and more in this epic episode...
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A fun look at the various meanings of "ausmachen" and what turning something off has to do with agreements, findings and bothering. Also: rausmachen.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
We all know, German is full of exceptions. Today, we'll look the German word for it and learn about the prefix verb it comes from.
Vocabulary:
die Ausnahme, ausnehmen, rausnehmen, ausnahmsweise, ausgenommen
In this episode:
A good "Ausrede" is what you need if you haven't done your homework. Today, we'll learn what it is, how it's different to Entschuldigung and some more good stuff :)
Vocabulary:
die Ausrede, die Entschuldigung, (sich) entschuldigen, ausreden (lassen), sich rausreden
In this episode:
A quick look at the meaning of "ausschlafen" and its brothers "verschlafen" and "einschlafen". Also: some grammar... yawn!
Vocabulary:
ausschlafen, verschlafen, einschlafen
In this episode:
A fun look at the meaning of "aussehen" and when to use it as a translation for "to look". Spoiler: it's NOT always and many people make mistakes there :)
Vocabulary:
aussehen, das Aussehen, aussehend
In this episode:
A quick look at "ausstellen" and its two very different meanings. Also: the difference you never knew existed - rausstellen vs herausstellen
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
An enlightening look at the German non-separable verb prefix "be-". We'll find out how it modifies a verb and talk about the most common be-verbs.
Vocabulary:
bestellen, bekommen, sich benehmen, behalten, begreifen, anbehalten, beneiden, vorbereiten, beeindrucken
In this episode:
A fun look at "brauchen" (to need), its prefix versions and how to use (or not use) "brauchen" with verbs. Also: some really cool relations to English and other languages.
Vocabulary:
brauchen, verbrauchen, der Brauch, der Bedarf, Gebrauchsanweisung
In this episode:
A thorough, sometimes silly look at the meaning of "bringen" and its various prefix verbs.
Vocabulary:
bringen, beibringen, anbringen, verbringen, umbringen,
In this episode:
A quick look at the meaning of "einfallen" and why the word for having an idea is the same as for a collapsing building.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
Eingehen - to shrink, arrive, agree, wither - it’s all over the place. Eingehen is also used for being unchallenged/bored or to go in on some sort of deal.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A quick look at the meaning of "das Einkommen" and why the verb "einkommen" absolutely doesn't mean "to come in" (and what does) :)
Vocabulary:
das Einkommen, reinkommen
In this episode:
A fun look at the meaning of "einlegen" and "reinlegen" what mixed pickles have to do with shoe inlays and falling for a prank.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
Most of you know that "haben" means "to have". But "haben" also has a lot of really common prefix versions. Today, we'll go over them with lots of examples.
Vocabulary:
haben, anhaben, aufhaben, abhaben, mithaben, vorhaben
In this episode:
A fun look at the meaning of "kriegen". We'll learn what it means by itself and look at all the useful prefix versions. A must have for your vocabulary :)
Vocabulary:
kriegen, abkriegen, hinkriegen, mitkriegen, aufkriegen, rauskriegen, der Krieg, ...
In this episode:
A fun look at the meaning of "lenken", the difference to "steuern" and how that relates to the German word for "to distract".
Vocabulary:
lenken, der Lenker, ablenken, das Gelenk, das Lenkrad
In this episode:
"lesen" means "to read" in German. Today, we'll explore its various prefix versions and see some really fascinating connections to English and quality food.
Vocabulary:
lesen, vorlesen, die Vorlesung, durchlesen, nachlesen, verlesen
In this episode:
A fun look at the various meanings of "liegen" and how to use the super common phrasing "liegen an".
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A thorough look at the meaning of "nach" and how to use it in sense of time and location. And a solid overview over the most common prefix verbs with "nach" :)
Vocabulary:
nach, nachmachen, nachlaufen, nachlassen, nachgehen, nach
In this episode:
We'll learn about "raten" and why it is guessing and giving advice at the same time. Also: lots of really useful prefix versions and other nice words.
Vocabulary:
raten, der Rat, beraten, verraten, erraten, das Rätsel
In this episode:
A fun look at the meaning of "der Raum", because the nouns and verbs based on it fill up a big room. Today, we'll go in and tidy up a that chaos :) (hint, hint)
Vocabulary:
der Raum, Raum-, das Zimmer, räumen, aufräumen, umräumen
In this episode:
A thorough look at the meaning and grammar of "reichen" and what "handing" has to do with "being enough" and "areas".
Vocabulary:
reichen, ausreichen, erreichen, der Bereich, hinreichend, ausreichend
In this episode:
A fun look at the meaning of "sorgen" and its prefix version and what worry has to do with getting some beer.
Vocabulary:
sorgen, die Sorge, versorgen, besorgen, besorgt
In this episode:
A thrilling look at the meanings of "Spannung" and the verb "spannen" and the answer to how to say ‘relaxed’ and ‘excited’ in German.
Vocabulary:
die Spannung, gespannt, spannend, die Anspannung, entspannen
In this episode:
We'll look at the meaning of "stimmen" and what "voice" has to do with being right and voting. And the meaning of the idiomatic German "stimmt".
Vocabulary:
die Stimme, stimmen, die Stimmung, bestimmen, bestimmt, abstimmen, verstimmen,
In this episode:
Today, we'll take a look at the meaning of "suchen" and go over all its useful prefix versions and see what visiting, trying and choosing has to do with search.
Vocabulary:
suchen, die Suche, versuchen, der Versuch, aussuchen, durchsuchen, untersuchen, besuchen, der Besuch
In this episode:
A Taste is a key. Boring. But that's not all. Also on the menu: have a riveting look at the family, stunning relations to English and lots of new cool verbs.
Vocabulary:
die Taste, die Tastatur, abtasten, tasten, anfassen, berühren
In this episode:
A thorough look at the meaning of "teilen", how that shows in the different prefix versions and why an SMS is also called "Kurzmitteilung" in German.
Vocabulary:
teilen, verteilen, aufteilen, einteilen, austeilen, mitteilen, die Mitteilung, zum Teil
In this episode:
A fun look a the various meanings of "übergehen", the difference between the separable and not separable version and the words "rübergehen" and "drübergehen".
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A fun look at the meaning of "überlegen", the surprising logic behind the meaning and the difference to "nachdenken".
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
In this episode, we'll learn about the ideas of the German prefix "um-" and go over the most important prefix verbs together.
Vocabulary:
umgehen, umfahren, umstellen, umfallen, umziehen, umschreiben
In this episode:
A satirical look at the meaning of "untergehen" :).
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
"unterstellen" is both, separable and non-separable. Today, we'll learn which will help you against rain and which is generally not nice. Also: runterstellen.
Vocabulary:
unterstellen, sich unterstellen, die Unterstellung
In this episode:
"versprechen" has maybe the most ironic double meaning ever. Today, we'll find out what it means and how those two connect.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
'ver' is the most common prefix in German and there seems to be no logic to it. In this article, we'll discover its one core meaning and what we can do with it.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
In part one, we discovered the core idea of the prefix 'ver' and saw how we can bend it. Today, we'll go over the most common ver-verbs and make sense of them.
Vocabulary:
verstehen, vergessen, verlieben, verführen, vergeben, vertrauen,
In this episode:
A quick look at the meaning of "vorgehen" and why it has the three meanings it has.
Vocabulary:
vorgehen, der Vorgang, das Vorgehen, hervorgehen aus
In this episode:
We'll take a quick look at the meaning of "vorschlagen" and why the Germans punch their proposals.
Vocabulary:
no vocab snippet (yet)
In this episode:
A fun look at the "warten" and its prefix versions. We'll learn about the two(!!) meanings of "warten" and see how they tie in with expectations.
Vocabulary:
warten, abwarten, erwarten, die Erwartung, die Wartungsarbeit, der Torwart
In this episode:
A fun look at the meaning of the "zer-" prefix and the most important verbs with it. Book coming soon, guys :)
Vocabulary:
zerstreuen, zerfließen, zerspringen, zerschlagen, zerreden,
In this episode:
We'll learn the core meaning(s) of "ziehen" and see why its prefix versions are used for clothes as well as moving apartments. Long but super useful.
Vocabulary:
ziehen, ausziehen, anziehen, abziehen, umziehen, der Zug, der Anzug, ...
In this episode:
What do a closing door and random coincidence have in common? They both relate to the German verb "zufallen". Today, we'll find out why.
Vocabulary:
zufallen, der Zufall, zufällig, zufälligerweise
In this episode:
A quick look at the "zunehmen" and why it's the German translation for gaining weight.
Vocabulary:
zunehmen, abnehmen, die Zunahme
