Before you start
Meet anstreben
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
an- + streben
- an-
- toward a particular target
- streben
- to strive
Strive toward a particular target.
So anstreben means to aim for; to strive for.
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·streben
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 streben eine Lösung an.We are aiming for a solution.
Subordinate clauseIch weiß, dass er eine Lösung anstrebt.I know that he is aiming for a solution.
Participle: angestrebtzu-infinitive: anzustreben
Forms
How anstreben changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | strebe an | strebte an |
| du | strebst an | strebtest an |
| er/sie/es | strebt an | strebte an |
| wir | streben an | strebten an |
| ihr | strebt an | strebtet an |
| Sie | streben an | strebten an |
Partizip II angestrebt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Sie strebt eine bessere Arbeit an.She is aiming for a better job.prefix goes to the end
- 2Er hat eine Ausbildung im Ausland angestrebt.He aimed for training abroad.Perfekt with haben
- 3Sie bleibt hier, weil sie ein ruhiges Leben anstrebt.She is staying here because she is striving for a quiet life.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
anstreben + der Beruf
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say what kind of work the career is in.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I wanted this jobder Job, die Jobs and aimed for it for a long timelange.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When she was youngjung, she aimed for a jobdie Stelle, die Stellen in a bankdie Bank, die Banken.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I am happyfroh because he aims for a bettergut jobder Job, die Jobs.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The jobder Job, die Jobs that she aimed for was nearin der Nähe von our homedas Zuhause.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She can aim for a placeder Platz, die Plätze at the universitydie Universität, die Universitäten.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She has decidedsich entscheiden to aim for a bettergut jobder Job, die Jobs.
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 aim for this jobder Job, die Jobs if it were closernah to homedas Zuhause?
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:
anstreben + der Beruf + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put its conjugated verb at the end.
- 3Use an accusative pronoun for der Beruf in the main clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What job or goal are you aiming for in the future?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using anstreben.
- 2Say what job or goal you aim for.