Before you start
Meet anschließen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
an- + schließen
- an-
- toward or onto something
- schließen
- to close
Close something onto another thing so the two become joined.
So anschließen means to connect or join.
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 schließen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: an·schließen
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 clauseIch schließe die Lampe an.I connect the lamp.
Subordinate clause…, weil er den Bildschirm anschließt.… because he connects the screen.
Participle: angeschlossenzu-infinitive: anzuschließen
Forms
How anschließen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | schließe | schloss |
| du | schließt | schlossest |
| er/sie/es | schließt | schloss |
| wir | schließen | schlossen |
| ihr | schließt | schlosst |
| Sie | schließen | schlossen |
Partizip II angeschlossen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich schließe das Handy an den Strom an.I connect the phone to the power.connect a device
- 2Wir haben das Fahrrad am Zaun angeschlossen.We locked the bicycle to the fence.Perfekt with haben
- 3Sie sagt, dass er sich der Gruppe anschließt.She says that he is joining the group.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
anschließen + der Computer
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Computer as the thing you connect.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We have connected it to the internetdas Internet.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When we movedumziehen, my fatherder Vater connected the new washing machinedie Waschmaschine.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She joined the groupdie Gruppe because her friendsder Freund, die Freunde were there.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The cabledas Kabel that I boughtkaufen yesterdaygestern connects the computerder Computer to the televisionder Fernseher.
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 connect your phonedas Handy to the speakerder Lautsprecher herehier.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He plansplanen to join us on the tripdie Reise.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Can you connect the printerder Drucker for me?
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:
anschließen + der Drucker + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Say the printer is old.
- 3Connect it to a computer using an accusative pronoun.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Who would you like to join on a trip?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using Konjunktiv II.
- 2Say who you would join on a trip.