Before you start
Meet durchsetzen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
durch- + setzen
- durch-
- through or all the way to completion
- setzen
- to set or place
Set something through to its intended result so it takes hold.
So durchsetzen means to carry through or enforce; sich durchsetzen means to assert oneself or prevail..
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
- fortsetzento continue
- umsetzento move, to put into practice
- voraussetzenpresuppose, take for granted
- ansetzento position, estimate, fix
- aussetzento abandon
- zusammensetzento put together
- absetzento take off, dismiss
Separable verb: durch·setzen
In a main clause the prefix durch 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 setzen den Wunsch durch.We get the wish accepted.
Subordinate clauseIch bleibe hier, weil ich meinen Plan durchsetze.I am staying here because I am carrying out my plan.
Participle: durchgesetztzu-infinitive: durchzusetzen
Forms
How durchsetzen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | setze durch | setzte durch |
| du | setzt durch | setztest durch |
| er/sie/es | setzt durch | setzte durch |
| wir | setzen durch | setzten durch |
| ihr | setzt durch | setztet durch |
| Sie | setzen durch | setzten durch |
Partizip II durchgesetzt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Sie setzt ihren Plan durch.She carries out her plan.prefix goes to the end
- 2Er hat die neue Regel durchgesetzt.He enforced the new rule.Perfekt with haben
- 3..., weil sie ihre Idee durchsetzt...., because she gets her idea accepted.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
durchsetzen + der Plan
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say that you enforce the plan.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I finallyendlich carried it through.
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 teamdas Team, die Teams was smallklein, she could assert herself.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He enforced the ruledie Regel, die Regeln because it was importantwichtig.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The womandie Frau, die Frauen who alwaysimmer asserts herself works with me.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She wants to enforce the rule at schooldie Schule, die Schulen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He tried to assert himself in his newneu 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 enforce this ruledie Regel, die Regeln at homezu Hause?
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:
durchsetzen + der Vorschlag + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Say the proposal was controversial.
- 3Then enforce it using a pronoun.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you usually assert yourself?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence.
- 2Use the present tense.
- 3Include a wenn-clause.