Before you start
Meet abbilden
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ab- + bilden
- ab-
- a result separated from or set apart from its source
- bilden
- to form or create
To form an image that stands apart as a representation of something.
So abbilden means to depict or represent.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Verb family
More verbs built on bilden
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: ab·bilden
In a main clause the prefix ab splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseDer Plan bildet alle Straßen ab.The map shows all the streets.
Subordinate clauseSie sagt, dass das Bild die Stadt abbildet.She says that the picture depicts the city.
Participle: abgebildetzu-infinitive: abzubilden
Forms
How abbilden changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | bilde ab | bildete ab |
| du | bildest ab | bildetest ab |
| er/sie/es | bildet ab | bildete ab |
| wir | bilden ab | bildeten ab |
| ihr | bildet ab | bildetet ab |
| Sie | bilden ab | bildeten ab |
Partizip II abgebildet · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Die Kamera bildet die Farben gut ab.The camera reproduces the colors well.prefix goes to the end
- 2Das Foto hat den Hund gut abgebildet.The photo portrayed the dog well.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich weiß, dass das Bild den Baum abbildet.I know that the picture shows the tree.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
abbilden + der Hund
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Make der Hund the direct object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The photodas Foto showed her at the beachder Strand.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I was a childdas Kind, this bookdas Buch showed many animalsdas Tier, die Tiere.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We boughtkaufen the picturedas Bild because it shows our housedas Haus.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I likemögen the photodas Foto that shows my brotherder Bruder.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The artistder Künstler can portray her very wellgut.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She wants to usebenutzen a photodas Foto to show the wholeganz familydie Familie.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Who did the artistder Künstler portray in this picturedas Bild?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
abbilden + das Kind + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put the conjugated verb at the end of that clause.
- 3Add a main clause saying where the photo hangs.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Which person would you like to show in a photo?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with the person you would like to show.
- 2Use a form of abbilden in your answer.