10 Sentences
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Before you start

Meet anlegen

Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.

Build the meaning

an- + legen

an-
onto or toward
legen
to lay or place

You place clothing onto yourself, or place money toward an investment.

So anlegen means to put on (clothing or accessories); to invest.

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 legen

Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.

Separable verb: an·legen

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 legen heute einen Garten an.We are laying out a garden today.
Subordinate clauseSie spart, weil sie ihr Geld sicher anlegt.She is saving because she invests her money safely.
Participle: angelegtzu-infinitive: anzulegen
Forms

How anlegen changes

PronounPräsensPräteritum
ichlege anlegte an
dulegst anlegtest an
er/sie/eslegt anlegte an
wirlegen anlegten an
ihrlegt anlegtet an
Sielegen anlegten an

Partizip II angelegt · Perfekt with haben

Three examples

  1. 1
    Ich lege jeden Monat etwas Geld an.I invest a little money every month.investing money
  2. 2
    Sie hat ihre warme Jacke angelegt.She put on her warm jacket.Perfekt with haben
  3. 3
    Er spart, damit er später Geld anlegen kann.He is saving so he can invest money later.infinitive with a modal verb