Before you start
Meet ansetzen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
an- + setzen
- an-
- toward or against a point of contact; by extension, establishing a starting point
- setzen
- to set or place
Set something at a chosen point, such as a time or value.
So ansetzen means to set or place; to schedule; to estimate.
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 setzen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
- einsetzento put in, insert
- durchsetzento carry through, enforce
- fortsetzento continue
- umsetzento move, to put into practice
- voraussetzenpresuppose, take for granted
- aussetzento abandon
- zusammensetzento put together
- absetzento take off, dismiss
Separable verb: an·setzen
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 setzt den Pinsel am Rand an.She puts the brush to the edge.
Subordinate clauseEr nimmt den Pinsel, weil er ihn am Rand ansetzt.He takes the brush because he applies it at the edge.
Participle: angesetztzu-infinitive: anzusetzen
Forms
How ansetzen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | setze an | setzte an |
| du | setzt an | setztest an |
| er/sie/es | setzt an | setzte an |
| wir | setzen an | setzten an |
| ihr | setzt an | setztet an |
| Sie | setzen an | setzten an |
Partizip II angesetzt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Der Koch setzt auf dem Herd einen Eintopf an.The cook starts a stew on the stove.starting to cook
- 2Wir haben den Preis zu hoch angesetzt.We set the price too high.Perfekt for estimating
- 3Wenn du den Stift hier ansetzt, passt es.If you position the pencil here, it fits.verb at the end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
ansetzen + der Termin + der Chef
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Make der Termin the thing the boss schedules.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
They scheduled it for Mondayder Montag.
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 meetingdas Treffen ended, we scheduled a new dateder Termin.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She set the priceder Preis at 20 eurosder Euro, die Euro because the fooddas Essen was expensiveteuer.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The meetingdas Treffen that our bossder Chef scheduled starts at nine.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We have to estimate the fooddas Essen costsdie Kosten at 50 eurosder Euro, die Euro.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He began to saysagen something, but then the phonedas Telefon rang.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
How much did you estimate for the tripdie Reise?
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:
ansetzen + der Preis + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Say the food is expensive.
- 3Say she sets the price low.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When would you schedule an appointment, and why? Answer in one German sentence using *ansetzen*.
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using ansetzen.
- 2Use Konjunktiv II.
- 3Give a reason with a weil-clause.