Before you start
Meet eindringen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ein- + dringen
- ein-
- inward, into an enclosed space
- dringen
- to press or push
To press inward, making one’s way into a place or through a barrier.
So eindringen means to force one’s way in; to penetrate.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: ein·dringen
In a main clause the prefix ein splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseEin Mann dringt in das Haus ein.A man forces his way into the house.
Subordinate clauseSie sieht, dass jemand in das Haus eindringt.She sees that someone is forcing their way into the house.
Participle: eingedrungenzu-infinitive: einzudringen
Forms
How eindringen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | dringe ein | drang ein |
| du | dringst ein | drangst ein |
| er/sie/es | dringt ein | drang ein |
| wir | dringen ein | drangen ein |
| ihr | dringt ein | drangt ein |
| Sie | dringen ein | drangen ein |
Partizip II eingedrungen · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Die Polizei dringt durch die Tür ein.The police force their way in through the door.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wasser ist durch das Dach eingedrungen.Water has seeped in through the roof.Perfekt with sein
- 3Der Rauch dringt ein, wenn das Fenster offen ist.Smoke gets in when the window is open.verb at the end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
eindringen + der Dieb
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say where the thief enters.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The policedie Polizei caughtfangen him after he forced his way into the housedas Haus.
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 doordie Tür openedsich öffnen, he forced his way into the roomdas Zimmer.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
They stayed insidedrinnen because smokeder Rauch was getting into the house.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The room that the rainder Regen got into is very coldkalt.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The dogder Hund must not get into the gardender Garten.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She closedschließen the windowdas Fenster to stopverhindern the colddie Kälte from getting into the housedas Haus.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
How did the waterdas Wasser get into the basementder Keller?
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:
eindringen + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put the verb at the end of that clause.
- 3Say where the thief enters.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Has anyone ever forced their way into your home? Answer in one German sentence.
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using eindringen.
- 2Use the Perfekt.