Before you start
Meet umsetzen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
um- + setzen
- um-
- into a changed form or state
- setzen
- to set or place
You set an idea into a new, concrete form by carrying it out.
So umsetzen means to implement; to put into practice.
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 setzen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
- einsetzento put in, insert
- durchsetzento carry through, enforce
- fortsetzento continue
- voraussetzenpresuppose, take for granted
- ansetzento position, estimate, fix
- aussetzento abandon
- zusammensetzento put together
- absetzento take off, dismiss
Separable verb: um·setzen
In a main clause the prefix um splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseIch setze den Stuhl ans Fenster um.I move the chair over to the window.
Subordinate clause…, weil ich den Stuhl ans Fenster umsetze.…, because I move the chair over to the window.
Participle: umgesetztzu-infinitive: umzusetzen
Forms
How umsetzen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | setze um | setzte um |
| du | setzt um | setztest um |
| er/sie/es | setzt um | setzte um |
| wir | setzen um | setzten um |
| ihr | setzt um | setztet um |
| Sie | setzen um | setzten um |
Partizip II umgesetzt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Der Lehrer setzt den Schüler nach vorn um.The teacher moves the student to the front.prefix goes to the end
- 2Die Firma hat den Plan schnell umgesetzt.The company quickly put the plan into practice.Perfekt with haben
- 3Wir müssen die Idee jetzt umsetzen.We have to put the idea into practice now.infinitive after modal verb
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
umsetzen + der Plan
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Plan as the thing being put into practice.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I put it into practice 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 we had more timedie Zeit, we put the ideadie Idee into practice.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She couldn't put the plander Plan into practice because she had no 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 idea that he put into practice works wellgut funktionieren.
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 put the plander Plan into practice next weeknächste Woche.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It isn't easyleicht to put this ideadie Idee into practice.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
How can we put this plander Plan into practice?
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:
umsetzen + die Idee + weil
Your challenge
- 1Use die Idee as the thing being put into practice.
- 2Add a weil-clause giving a reason.
- 3Put the verb at the end of the weil-clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What idea would you like to put into practice?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one idea you would like to put into practice.
- 2Use umsetzen in the infinitive after a modal-style expression.