Before you start
Meet ableiten
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 3 meanings
- to derive
- (mathematics) to differentiate (to find the derivative of)
- to dissipate
Build the meaning
ab- + leiten
- ab-
- away from, as in tracing something back from a source
- leiten
- to guide or lead
You lead a conclusion away from its premises by tracing what follows from them.
So ableiten means to derive; to deduce.
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·leiten
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 leitet den Namen von ihrem Vater ab.She derives the name from her father.
Subordinate clause..., weil wir die Antwort aus dem Text ableiten...., because we deduce the answer from the text.
Participle: abgeleitetzu-infinitive: abzuleiten
Forms
How ableiten changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | leite ab | leitete ab |
| du | leitest ab | leitetest ab |
| er/sie/es | leitet ab | leitete ab |
| wir | leiten ab | leiteten ab |
| ihr | leitet ab | leitetet ab |
| Sie | leiten ab | leiteten ab |
Partizip II abgeleitet · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich leite die Antwort aus dem Text ab.I deduce the answer from the text.present, prefix at the end
- 2Die Stadt hat das Wasser in einen Fluss abgeleitet.The city diverted the water into a river.Perfekt with haben
- 3Wir können die Regel aus dem Beispiel ableiten.We can derive the rule from the example.modal verb plus infinitive
Verb family
More verbs built on leiten
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.