Before you start
Meet anerkennen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
an- + erkennen
- an-
- toward or onto something, bringing it into consideration
- erkennen
- to recognize
You direct recognition toward something and give it standing as valid.
So anerkennen means to recognize, acknowledge, or accept.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: an·erkennen
In a main clause the prefix an splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseWir erkennen den neuen Chef an.We recognize the new boss.
Subordinate clauseEr freut sich, weil wir seine Hilfe anerkennen.He is glad because we recognize his help.
Participle: anerkanntzu-infinitive: anzuerkennen
Forms
How anerkennen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | erkenne an | erkannte an |
| du | erkennst an | erkanntest an |
| er/sie/es | erkennt an | erkannte an |
| wir | erkennen an | erkannten an |
| ihr | erkennt an | erkanntet an |
| Sie | erkennen an | erkannten an |
Partizip II anerkannt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich erkenne deine Arbeit an.I recognize your work.prefix goes to the end
- 2Die Stadt hat den Plan anerkannt.The city accepted the plan.Perfekt with haben
- 3Sie sagt, dass er den Fehler anerkennt.She says that he admits the mistake.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
anerkennen + der Fehler
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Fehler as the direct object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We have accepted him as a memberdas Mitglied.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the teacherder Lehrer, die Lehrerin praisedloben her workdie Arbeit, the classdie Klasse recognized it.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He accepts the rulesdie Regel, die Regeln because they are importantwichtig.
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 recognized our workdie Arbeit is my teacherder Lehrer, die Lehrerin.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You must acknowledge your mistakeder Fehler.
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 recognize their workdie Arbeit.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Would you accept him as a memberdas Mitglied?
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:
anerkennen + dass
Your challenge
- 1Start with Ich erkenne an.
- 2Add a dass-clause saying the plan is good.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What achievement of yours would you like other people to recognize?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one German sentence.
- 2Use anerkennen in the Konjunktiv II.
- 3Name an achievement you want recognized.