zusagen

hat zugesagt · sagte zu
Based on: sagen, zu
Goethe B1 Verb #935 zu verb
  1. to confirm, to affirm, to promise
  2. to suit, to be pleasing
1.

to confirm, to affirm, to promise

(A slightly formal sounding verb for affirming a request of sorts. The person you say "Yes" to is the indirect object, the "thing" you promise can be the direct object, but that's rare. )
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Examples
  • Sagen Sie mir bitte bis morgen zu oder ab, so dass ich planen kann.
  • Please tell me yes or no by tomorrow, so I can plan.
2.

to suit, to be pleasing

("jemandem+Dat zusagen" - a formal, courtsy sounding version for "gefallen". It can lean more toward actual liking as well as toward suiting, like an appointment for example.)
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Word Family

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Sources for Etymology:

My Articles

Prefix Verbs Explained – “zunehmen”

A quick look at the "zunehmen" and why it's the German translation for gaining weight.

Vocab: zunehmen, abnehmen, die Zunahme

Read article →

Questions and Comments

Do you have questions about the usage or meaning of “zusagen”? Just ask here and I’ll try to clear it up.

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4 Comments
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coleussanctus
coleussanctus

I think “zusagen” can also be kind of like “gefallen”, right?

  • Das neue Design sagt mir gar nicht zu.
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Emanuel
Author
Emanuel
Reply to  coleussanctus

Oh, true!
I added that meaning, thanks!

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xv
xv

Fyi this didn’t come up in my search for “zusagen” but “sozusagen” did. I found the article by clicking through on the “word family”

Reply
Emanuel
Author
Emanuel
Reply to  xv

Nice find!! It didn’t show because for some reason the meaning never made it into the database.
Should show up now!

Reply

How many meanings does the German word 'zusagen' have?

zusagen has 2 distinct meanings: 1. to confirm, to affirm, to promise, 2. to suit, to be pleasing.

What is the past tense of 'zusagen'?

hat zugesagt / sagte zu

What is 'zusagen' related to?

The word 'zusagen' is related to sagen and zu.

Where can I learn more about 'zusagen'?

Here are some articles where you can learn more about 'zusagen':

Prefix Verbs Explained – “zunehmen”
A quick look at the "zunehmen" and why it's the German translation for gaining weight.
Vocab: zunehmen, abnehmen, die Zunahme
Read article