Before you start
Meet einschlagen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ein- + schlagen
- ein-
- into or onto something
- schlagen
- to strike
Strike something inward to drive it in, or set onto a chosen route.
So einschlagen means to hammer in; to smash; to take a path.
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 schlagen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: ein·schlagen
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 clauseSie schlägt einen neuen Weg ein.She chooses a new path.
Subordinate clauseIch glaube, dass er den falschen Weg einschlägt.I think he is choosing the wrong path.
Participle: eingeschlagenzu-infinitive: einzuschlagen
Forms
How einschlagen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | schlage ein | schlug ein |
| du | schlägst ein | schlugst ein |
| er/sie/es | schlägt ein | schlug ein |
| wir | schlagen ein | schlugen ein |
| ihr | schlagt ein | schlugt ein |
| Sie | schlagen ein | schlugen ein |
Partizip II eingeschlagen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich schlage den Nagel in die Wand ein.I hammer the nail into the wall.prefix goes to the end
- 2Er hat die Tür eingeschlagen.He smashed the door in.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich weiß nicht, welchen Weg ich einschlagen soll.I don't know which path I should take.verb with modal
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
einschlagen + der Nagel
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say where you hammer the nail.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I hammeredto hammer in it into the walldie Wand yesterdaygestern.
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 stormdas Gewitter came, lightningder Blitz struck the treeder Baum.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Lightningder Blitz hit the housedas Haus because the stormdas Gewitter was very strongstark.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The nailder Nagel that he hammeredto hammer in into the walldie Wand was too longlang.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We want to take a differentanders pathder Weg through the forestder Wald.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He hopesto hope to take a newneu pathder Weg in lifedas Leben.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Did the ballder Ball smashto smash the windowdie Fensterscheibe?
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:
einschlagen + der Blitz + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Say that the lightning strikes a tree.
- 3Use the present tense in the main clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What path would you like to take in life?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with einschlagen.
- 2Use Konjunktiv II to say what you would like.