Before you start
Meet annehmen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
an- + nehmen
- an-
- toward oneself or into one’s sphere
- nehmen
- to take
Take something toward yourself, either receiving it or taking it as true for the moment.
So annehmen means to accept; to assume.
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 nehmen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
- aufnehmento record, include
- zunehmento increase
- einnehmento take up, in
- vornehmento plan
- abnehmento decrease, reduce
- teilnehmento take part
- wahrnehmento perceive, detect
- mitnehmento take along
Separable verb: an·nehmen
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 clauseSie nimmt das Angebot an.She accepts the offer.
Subordinate clause…, weil er den Vorschlag annimmt.… because he accepts the suggestion.
Participle: angenommenzu-infinitive: anzunehmen
Forms
How annehmen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | nehme an | nahm an |
| du | nimmst an | nahmst an |
| er/sie/es | nimmt an | nahm an |
| wir | nehmen an | nahmen an |
| ihr | nehmt an | nahmt an |
| Sie | nehmen an | nahmen an |
Partizip II angenommen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Er nimmt den neuen Job an.He accepts the new job.accepting a job
- 2Wir haben das Paket angenommen.We accepted the package.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich nehme an, dass er heute kommt.I assume he is coming today.meaning “to assume”
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
annehmen + das Paket
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use das Paket as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I accepted it yesterdaygestern.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When my friendder Freund offeredanbieten me the bookdas Buch, I accepted it right awaysofort.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She accepted the jobdie Stelle because she needsbrauchen moneydas Geld.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I accepted the invitationdie Einladung that my sisterdie Schwester sentschicken me.
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 accept the newneu rulesdie Regel, die Regeln.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He camekommen to accept our offerdas Angebot.
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 my helpdie Hilfe if you were illkrank?
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:
annehmen + der Vorschlag + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Vorschlag as the object.
- 3Add an obwohl-clause with its verb at the end.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you usually assume when someone is late?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with a wenn-clause.
- 2Use annehmen to state what you assume.
- 3Put the verb at the end of the wenn-clause.