Before you start
Meet einsehen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
ein- + sehen
- ein-
- inward, into something
- sehen
- to see
You look into a situation and see what is true or reasonable.
So einsehen means to realize, understand, or acknowledge; to see reason.
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 sehen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: ein·sehen
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 clauseWir sehen den Grund ein.We understand the reason.
Subordinate clauseIch bleibe, weil ich den Grund einsehe.I am staying because I understand the reason.
Participle: eingesehenzu-infinitive: einzusehen
Forms
How einsehen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | sehe ein | sah ein |
| du | siehst ein | sahst ein |
| er/sie/es | sieht ein | sah ein |
| wir | sehen ein | sahen ein |
| ihr | seht ein | saht ein |
| Sie | sehen ein | sahen ein |
Partizip II eingesehen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich sehe jetzt ein, dass du recht hast.I realize now that you are right.realize something
- 2Sie hat ihren Fehler eingesehen.She admitted her mistake.Perfekt with haben
- 3Er muss einsehen, dass es spät ist.He has to realize that it is late.infinitive after a modal
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
einsehen + der Fehler
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Fehler as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I realized it too latezu spät.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When he explainederklären it to me, I realized my mistakeder Fehler.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He realized his mistakeder Fehler because his friendder Freund explainederklären it to him.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I understood the mistakeder Fehler that he had made.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You must understand that we have no time.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It is hardschwer for her to accept that her sonder Sohn lives far awayweit weg.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Do you understand now why I am worriedbesorgt?
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:
einsehen + dass + der Plan
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Include a dass-clause.
- 3Say that the plan is not good.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When did you last realize that you were wrong? Answer in one German sentence using the verb.
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the Perfekt.
- 2Include a dass-clause about being wrong.