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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)

abhängen

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)

abheben

In this episode:

"abheben" means "to lift off". And "to get cash". And "to stand out". Today, we'll explore why the verb has all these meanings and how to use it.

Vocabulary:

no vocab snippet (yet)

absehen

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

absetzen

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)

abziehen

In this episode:

A quick look at the various meanings of "abziehen" and the noun "der Abzug" and one of the most graceful German words ever. And some Hegel.

Vocabulary:

no vocab snippet (yet)

angeben

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

anlegen

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

anmachen

In this episode:

"anmachen" is one of the most useful prefix verbs. Today, we'll explore the various meanings and see what connects them all. Also: ranmachen.

Vocabulary:

no vocab snippet (yet)

annehmen

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)

anstehen

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)

anstellen

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)

auffallen

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

aufgehen

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)

aufhalten

In this episode:

A quick look at "aufhalten" and what holding a door has to do with staying somewhere.

Vocabulary:

no vocab snippet (yet)

auflegen

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)

aufmachen

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)

aufnehmen

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

ausfallen

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

ausgeben

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)

ausgehen

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)

aushalten

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)

auskommen

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

auslegen

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)

ausmachen

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)

die Ausnahme

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

ausstellen

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)

ausziehen

In this episode:

Vocabulary:

ausziehen, der Auszug

brauchen

In this episode:

A fun look at "brauchen" (to need), its prefix versions and how to use "brauchen" with verbs. Also: some really cool relations to English and other languages.

Vocabulary:

brauchen, verbrauchen, der Brauch, der Bedarf, Gebrauchsanweisung

eingehen

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)

Einkommen, das

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

einlegen

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)

einsetzen

In this episode:

Vocabulary:

einsetzen, der Einsatz, reinsetzen

einziehen, reinziehen"

In this episode:

Vocabulary:

no vocab snippet (yet)

fallen - All Prefix Versions

In this episode:

Vocabulary:

fallen, auffallen, ausfallen, befallen, entfallen, einfallen, abfallen, anfallen, verfallen,...

lenken

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

lesen

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

Raum, der

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

reichen

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

r-Versions Explained

In this episode:

Vocabulary:

no vocab snippet (yet)

sorgen

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

suchen

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

die Taste

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

teilen (Teil - Part 2)

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

übergehen

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)

untergehen

In this episode:

A satirical look at the meaning of "untergehen" :).

Vocabulary:

no vocab snippet (yet)

unterstellen

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

verwirren vs. verwechseln

In this episode:

'verwirren' and 'verwechsel' both mean 'to confuse'. But confusing them is confusing. Today, we'll learn what the difference is and when to use which one.

Vocabulary:

no vocab snippet (yet)

vorgehen

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

zufallen

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