Before you start
Meet durchziehen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
durch- + ziehen
- durch-
- through, from one side or stage to another
- ziehen
- to pull
Pull something through to the other side or through to completion.
So durchziehen means to pull through; to carry through.
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 ziehen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: durch·ziehen
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 clauseIch ziehe den Faden durch das Loch durch.I pull the thread through the hole.
Subordinate clauseSie wartet, weil der Weg sich durch den Wald zieht.She waits because the path runs through the forest.
Participle: durchgezogenzu-infinitive: durchzuziehen
Forms
How durchziehen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | ziehe durch | zog durch |
| du | ziehst durch | zogst durch |
| er/sie/es | zieht durch | zog durch |
| wir | ziehen durch | zogen durch |
| ihr | zieht durch | zogt durch |
| Sie | ziehen durch | zogen durch |
Partizip II durchgezogen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Sie zieht den Plan bis zum Ende durch.She sees the plan through to the end.separable prefix at end
- 2Wir haben das Seil durch das Loch durchgezogen.We pulled the rope through the hole.Perfekt with haben
- 3Der Weg ist schön, weil er sich durch den Park zieht.The path is beautiful because it runs through the park.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
durchziehen + der Plan
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Plan as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I pulled it through the smallklein holedas Loch.
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 coldkalt windder Wind swept through the housedas Haus, we closedschließen the windowsdas Fenster, die Fenster.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She carried the plander Plan through because she thought 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 plander Plan that he carried through was importantwichtig to his familydie Familie.
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 carry the plander Plan through.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He promisedversprechen to carry the plander Plan through.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Did they reallywirklich carry it through?
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:
durchziehen + der Plan + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Use the present tense in both clauses.
- 3Replace der Plan with an accusative pronoun in the main clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What plan would you like to carry through, even if it were difficult?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence about a plan you have.
- 2Use durchziehen in the infinitive after a modal verb.