Before you start
Meet auffordern
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
auf- + fordern
- auf-
- prompting someone toward an action
- fordern
- to demand or call for
You call on someone to do something, urging them toward an action.
So auffordern means to ask, request, or urge someone to do something.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: auf·fordern
In a main clause the prefix auf splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseDer Arzt fordert mich auf, ruhig zu bleiben.The doctor asks me to stay calm.
Subordinate clauseIch gehe, wenn der Arzt mich auffordert.I’ll leave when the doctor asks me to.
Participle: aufgefordertzu-infinitive: aufzufordern
Forms
How auffordern changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | fordere auf | forderte auf |
| du | forderst auf | fordertest auf |
| er/sie/es | fordert auf | forderte auf |
| wir | fordern auf | forderten auf |
| ihr | fordert auf | fordertet auf |
| Sie | fordern auf | forderten auf |
Partizip II aufgefordert · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Der Lehrer fordert uns auf, die Tür zu schließen.The teacher asks us to close the door.prefix goes to the end
- 2Meine Mutter hat mich aufgefordert, ihr zu helfen.My mother asked me to help her.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich bleibe hier, wenn sie mich auffordert.I’ll stay here if she asks me to.verb at the end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
auffordern + der Gast
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Gast as the person addressed.
- 3Ask him to take a seat.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She asked me to wait outsidedraußen.
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 lessonder Unterricht ended, the teacherder Lehrer, die Lehrerin asked them to be quietleise.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He asked her to leavegehen because it was latespät.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I spokesprechen to the mander Mann who asked us to waitwarten.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The policedie Polizei can ask him to show his ticketdie Fahrkarte.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She asked him to come earlyfrüh so they could eat togetherzusammen.
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 ask him to callanrufen 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:
auffordern + der Sohn + weil
Your challenge
- 1Start with a weil-clause.
- 2Use der Sohn as the person addressed.
- 3Use auffordern and ask him to go home.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Who have you asked to help you recently?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the Perfekt.
- 2Say whom you asked and what you asked them to do.