Before you start
Meet anstreben
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Meaning
- to strive, to seek, to target, to pursue
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