Before you start
Meet nachdenken
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
nach- + denken
- nach-
- afterward or following along
- denken
- to think
Think along after an idea, turning it over in your mind.
So nachdenken means to think about; to reflect.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: nach·denken
In a main clause the prefix nach splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseDenk bitte über die Frage nach.Please think about the question.
Subordinate clauseIch bin froh, weil du darüber nachdenkst.I am glad because you are thinking about it.
Participle: nachgedachtzu-infinitive: nachzudenken
Forms
How nachdenken changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | denke nach | dachte nach |
| du | denkst nach | dachtest nach |
| er/sie/es | denkt nach | dachte nach |
| wir | denken nach | dachten nach |
| ihr | denkt nach | dachtet nach |
| Sie | denken nach | dachten nach |
Partizip II nachgedacht · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich denke oft über meine Arbeit nach.I often think about my work.present, prefix at end
- 2Wir haben lange über den Urlaub nachgedacht.We thought about the vacation for a long time.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich bin ruhig, wenn ich über den Tag nachdenke.I am calm when I think about the day.verb at end after wenn
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
nachdenken + der Urlaub
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use über with der Urlaub.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I thought about it 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 I was a childdas Kind, die Kinder, I oftenoft thought about my familydie Familie, die Familien.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She is thinking about the tripdie Reise, die Reisen because she has littlewenig timedie Zeit.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The mander Mann, die Männer who is thinking about the problemdas Problem, die Probleme is my teacherder Lehrer, die Lehrer.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We have to think about our answerdie Antwort, die Antworten before the lessonder Unterricht.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It is importantwichtig to think about the answerdie Antwort, die Antworten.
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 think about the problemdas Problem, die Probleme tonightheute Abend?
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:
nachdenken + dass
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Include a dass-clause saying we need more time.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you often think about? Answer in one German sentence using the verb.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence using the target verb.
- 2Say what you often think about.