Before you start
Meet abdecken
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ab- + decken
- ab-
- away or over, depending on context
- decken
- to cover
Deck something over or take its covering away, according to context.
So abdecken means to cover; to uncover or remove the covering from.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: ab·decken
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 clauseSie deckt den Topf ab.She covers the pot.
Subordinate clauseIch bleibe hier, weil ich den Topf abdecke.I’ll stay here because I’m covering the pot.
Participle: abgedecktzu-infinitive: abzudecken
Forms
How abdecken changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | decke ab | deckte ab |
| du | deckst ab | decktest ab |
| er/sie/es | deckt ab | deckte ab |
| wir | decken ab | deckten ab |
| ihr | deckt ab | decktet ab |
| Sie | decken ab | deckten ab |
Partizip II abgedeckt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich decke das Essen ab.I cover the food.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben den Tisch abgedeckt.We cleared the table.Perfekt with haben
- 3Du musst die Pflanzen nachts abdecken.You have to cover the plants at night.modal verb with infinitive
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
abdecken + der Tisch
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Tisch as the thing being covered.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I covered it before we ateessen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When it started rainingzu regnen beginnen, she covered the tableder Tisch.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He covers the fooddas Essen because there are fliesdie Fliege, die Fliegen in the kitchendie Küche.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The womandie Frau who covered the fooddas Essen is my motherdie Mutter.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We must cover the cakeder Kuchen before the guestsder Gast, die Gäste arrivekommen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She covered the plantsdie Pflanze, die Pflanzen to protectschützen them from the colddie Kälte.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Could you cover the fooddas Essen for me?
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:
abdecken + obwohl + das Essen
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put the conjugated verb at the end of that clause.
- 3Include a main clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you cover at home, and when?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the target verb.
- 2Include a wenn-clause.