In this section we look at the prefix verbs one at a time.
Summary
'Ausschließen' means 'to exclude' and the two words have more in common than it seems on first glance. But there are also differences. Let's explore.
Vocabulary
ausschließen, ausgeschlossen, ausschließlich, Schloss, Schluss, schließen, Ausschlussprinzip
Summary
"betreffen" means "to affect", but it's a specific type of "affect". Today, we'll find out what it is, how to use it and why it means what it means.
Vocabulary
treffen, be- , betreffen, der Betreff, betroffen
Summary
"aufhaben" can mean "to wear" and "to be open". And "draufhaben" means "to be good at something". Today, we'll learn why with lots of examples.
Vocabulary
auf-, aufhaben, raufhaben, draufhaben
Summary
"sich verhalten" means "to behave". But why? And how do we use it correctly? And what does that have to do with "das Verhältnis"? Today, we'll find out :)
Vocabulary
sich verhalten, das Verhältnis, die Beziehung, verhältnismäßig
Summary
"ausziehen" means "moving out" and also "taking off clothes". Today, we'll learn why these two meanings make perfect sense, and how to use the verb in German.
Vocabulary
ausziehen, der Auszug
Summary
"einziehen" has dozens of translations. But they all belong to two core concepts. Today, we'll find out all about it and also what's up with "reinziehen".
Summary
A fun look at the various various meanings of "einsetzen" and the difference to the r-version "reinsetzen".
Vocabulary
einsetzen, der Einsatz, reinsetzen
Summary
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.
Summary
"verteidigen" means "to defend". In this short post, we'll learn why and see how to use it.
Summary
'absetzen' can mean taking off a hat, but also cancelling a series and deducting something from your taxes and more. And then, there's "der Absatz" as well.
Summary
A fun look at the German prefix verb "ablaufen" and how it connects a sink, a conference and old milk.
Vocabulary
ablaufen, abgelaufen, der Ablauf, der
Summary
A fun look at the meaning of the prefix verb "ansprechen" and its various related words that range from being picky to eye candy.
Vocabulary
ansprechen, die Ansprache, ansprechend, ansprechbar, sich angesprochen fühlen, anspruchsvoll
Summary
A fun look at the various meanings of "anstehen" and what waiting in line has to do with manners and letters on a board.
Summary
A look at "anfallen" and why it means "attack" and "be on the agenda". And a look at the difference between "Angriff" and "Anfall" which both are "attack"
Summary
You're in charge of the condition of your vocabulary. Go get what's rightfully yours - mean this article about the meaning of "zustehen" :).
Vocabulary
zustehen, der Zustand, zuständig
Summary
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
Summary
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
Summary
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.
Summary
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.
Summary
"aufkommen" can be about arising. And "aufkommen" can also be about "hitting the ground". And as usual in German, that makes perfect sense.
Summary
"abgehen" can be about a sticker coming off of a glass. But it's also a really cool colloquial term for "things happening" and you "going wild".
Vocabulary
abgehen, herabgehen, der Abgang, runtergehen
Summary
"Aussetzen" has an eclectic set of translations: Expose, suspend, plant, criticize, maroon, skip. Placing "outside" in some way is the core idea, though.
Summary
A quick, fun look at the meaning of "zugeben" and the noun "die Zugabe" that'll make you go like "Encore!" :)
Summary
A quick look at the meaning of "aushalten" and its brother "raushalten" and what bearing has to do with not being involved.
Summary
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
Summary
"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
Summary
A fun look at the various meanings of "ausmachen" and what turning something off has to do with agreements, findings and bothering. Also: rausmachen.
Summary
A quick look at the meaning of "vorkommen" and why "sich vorkommen" actually became a good way to say how you feel.
Summary
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
Summary
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
Summary
A quick look at "aufhalten" and what holding a door has to do with staying somewhere.
Summary
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.
Summary
"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
Summary
A quick look at "ausstellen" and its two very different meanings. Also: the difference you never knew existed - rausstellen vs herausstellen
Summary
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...
Summary
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
Summary
"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.
Summary
A satirical look at the meaning of "untergehen" :).
Summary
A fun look at the meaning of "einlegen" and "reinlegen" what mixed pickles have to do with shoe inlays and falling for a prank.
Summary
A fun look a the various meanings of "übergehen", the difference between the separable and not separable version and the words "rübergehen" and "drübergehen".
Summary
"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
anmachen, anschalten, einschalten, ranmachen, die Anmache
Summary
A fun look at the various meanings of "ausgehen" and what party night has to do with assumptions. Also: what's up with "rausgehen".
Summary
"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.
Summary
"auskommen" looks like "to come out", but that's actually "rauskommen". "auskommen" itself is about making ends meet. And the noun "Auskunft" is "information".
Vocabulary
auskommen, rauskommen, die Auskunft, das Auskommen
Summary
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
Summary
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.
Summary
A fun look at the meanings of "auflegen" and what dj-ing has to do with making phone calls and newspapers.
Summary
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
Summary
"angeben" can mean "give information", but it can also mean "to brag". Today, we'll see how to use it with lots of examples.
Vocabulary
angeben, die Angabe(n), angeblich, der Angeber
Summary
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".
Summary
A fun look at the meanings of "annehmen" and what assumptions have to do with accepting and comfort.
Summary
"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).
Summary
A thorough look at the meaning of "ansehen" and how to use it for looking at things, watching movies and reputation.
Vocabulary
ansehen, sich ansehen, das Ansehen, ansehnlich, die Ansicht
Summary
"angehen" can mean "turning on" as well as "be one's business". But why? Today, we'll find that out and also see
Summary
"anhalten" means "to stop". And it also means "to continue". And there's actually a logic to it. Today, we'll find out what and also how and when to use it.
Vocabulary
anhalten, aufhören, stoppen, ranhalten, sich ranhalten
Summary
The main meaning of "überlegen" is thinking. But why? And what's the difference to "denken" and "nachdenken"? Today, we'll find out all that and more.
Vocabulary
überlegen, nachdenken, denken, rüberlegen
Summary
"versprechen" has maybe the most ironic double meaning ever. Today, we'll find out what it means and how those two connect.
Summary
"einstellen" has a few meanings that seem to have nothing to do with each other. Today, we'll find out what they are and if there is a common idea.
Summary
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
Summary
A fun, detailed look at the super useful meanings of "ankommen" and what arriving has to do with depending and how Germans say "It depends".
Vocabulary
ankommen, ankommen auf, die Ankunft
Summary
A quick look at the "zunehmen" and why it's the German translation for gaining weight.
Vocabulary
zunehmen, abnehmen, die Zunahme
Summary
"aufhören" means "to stop". But why? And what's the difference to "anhalten"? All that we'll find out in this article.
Vocabulary
aufhören, anhalten, hören, horchen, aufhorchen
Summary
We'll take a quick look at the meaning of "vorschlagen" and why the Germans punch their proposals.
Summary
"vorstellen" means "to introduce" and "to imagine". Today, we'll learn how that makes sense and how to use it for both meanings.
Summary
"nachdenken über" means to think in a sense of pondering, "denken (an)" is about thinking in a more general sense. Today, we'll explore the use of both.
Summary
A quick look at the meaning of "ausschlafen" and its brothers "verschlafen" and "einschlafen".
Vocabulary
ausschlafen, verschlafen, einschlafen, schlapp, schlaff, der Schlaf, der Lappen
Summary
"einfallen" is one of the main German words for having an idea, but the usage is a bit tricky. Today, we'll explore and we'll also talk about "reinfallen".
Vocabulary
einfallen, der Einfall, einfallsreich, reinfallen
