Before you start
Meet teilnehmen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
teil- + nehmen
- teil-
- as a share or part
- nehmen
- to take
You take a share in an activity by joining it.
So teilnehmen means to take part; to participate.
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 nehmen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
- annehmento accept, assume
- aufnehmento record, include
- zunehmento increase
- einnehmento take up, in
- vornehmento plan
- abnehmento decrease, reduce
- wahrnehmento perceive, detect
- mitnehmento take along
Separable verb: teil·nehmen
In a main clause the prefix teil splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseEr nimmt am Essen teil.He takes part in the meal.
Subordinate clauseIch weiß, dass du am Spiel teilnimmst.I know that you are taking part in the game.
Participle: teilgenommenzu-infinitive: teilzunehmen
Forms
How teilnehmen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | nehme teil | nahm teil |
| du | nimmst teil | nahmst teil |
| er/sie/es | nimmt teil | nahm teil |
| wir | nehmen teil | nahmen teil |
| ihr | nehmt teil | nahmt teil |
| Sie | nehmen teil | nahmen teil |
Partizip II teilgenommen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich nehme heute am Spiel teil.I’m taking part in the game today.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben gestern am Fest teilgenommen.We took part in the festival yesterday.Perfekt with haben
- 3Sie bleibt zu Hause, weil sie heute teilnimmt.She stays at home because she is taking part today.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
teilnehmen + der Kurs
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say which course you take part in.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We took part in 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 she was at schooldie Schule, she took part in a music clubder Musikclub.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He is taking part in the gamedas Spiel because his friendsder Freund, die Freunde askedfragen 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 know the womandie Frau who takes part in our dance groupdie Tanzgruppe.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
They want to take part in the tripder Ausflug with us.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She is happyfroh to be able to take part in the classder Kurs.
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 take part in the meetingdas Treffen tomorrowmorgen?
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:
teilnehmen + obwohl + der Lauf
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put its conjugated verb at the end.
- 3Say that you took part in the run.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What event would you like to take part in, and why?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with an event you would like to take part in.
- 2Use weil to give a reason.