Before you start
Meet abgrenzen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ab- + grenzen
- ab-
- off or apart, marking something as separate
- grenzen
- to border or form a boundary
To mark a boundary that sets something off from what surrounds it.
So abgrenzen means to delimit, separate, or distinguish.
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·grenzen
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 grenzt ihr Haus vom Nachbarhaus ab.She separates her house from the neighboring house.
Subordinate clauseEr sagt, dass er sich von der Gruppe abgrenzt.He says that he distances himself from the group.
Participle: abgegrenztzu-infinitive: abzugrenzen
Forms
How abgrenzen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | grenze ab | grenzte ab |
| du | grenzt ab | grenztest ab |
| er/sie/es | grenzt ab | grenzte ab |
| wir | grenzen ab | grenzten ab |
| ihr | grenzt ab | grenztet ab |
| Sie | grenzen ab | grenzten ab |
Partizip II abgegrenzt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich grenze den Garten mit einem Zaun ab.I enclose the garden with a fence.prefix goes to the end
- 2Die Stadt hat den Park klar abgegrenzt.The city clearly marked off the park.Perfekt with haben
- 3Wir müssen die beiden Wörter klar abgrenzen.We have to distinguish the two words clearly.verb after a modal
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
abgrenzen + der Garten + der Weg
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say that the garden is separated from the path.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We have separated it from the other boxesdie Kiste, die Kisten.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When she movedziehen to the citydie Stadt, she set herself apart from her familydie Familie.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He stayed quietruhig because he wanted to distinguish his opiniondie Meinung from hers.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The fenceder Zaun that separates our gardender Garten from the streetdie Straße is newneu.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You can easilyleicht distinguish the two colorsdie Farbe, die Farben from each other.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It is importantwichtig to distinguish workdie Arbeit from free timedie Freizeit.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
How do you distinguish your ideasdie Idee, die Ideen from theirs?
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:
abgrenzen + die Gruppe + die anderen + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause and put its verb at the end.
- 2Use a reflexive pronoun in the main clause.
- 3Use von with a dative noun or pronoun.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you set yourself apart from other people?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the target verb.
- 2Answer with a weil-clause to give a reason.