Before you start
Meet vorziehen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
vor- + ziehen
- vor-
- ahead or in front
- ziehen
- to pull
Pull one option in front of the others, giving it priority.
So vorziehen means to prefer.
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 ziehen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: vor·ziehen
In a main clause the prefix vor 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 ziehe einen Spaziergang dem Film vor.I prefer a walk to a film.
Subordinate clauseSie bleibt hier, weil sie den Bus vorzieht.She is staying here because she prefers the bus.
Participle: vorgezogenzu-infinitive: vorzuziehen
Forms
How vorziehen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | ziehe vor | zog vor |
| du | ziehst vor | zogst vor |
| er/sie/es | zieht vor | zog vor |
| wir | ziehen vor | zogen vor |
| ihr | zieht vor | zogt vor |
| Sie | ziehen vor | zogen vor |
Partizip II vorgezogen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich ziehe Tee dem Kaffee vor.I prefer tea to coffee.prefix goes to the end
- 2Er hat den Zug dem Bus vorgezogen.He preferred the train to the bus.Perfekt with haben
- 3Weil wir Ruhe vorziehen, bleiben wir zu Hause.Because we prefer peace and quiet, we are staying home.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
vorziehen + der Tee + der Kaffee
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say that you prefer tea to coffee.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I preferred him to the othersdie anderen yesterday.
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, I preferred milkdie Milch to waterdas Wasser.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She stayedbleiben home because she preferred a quietruhig eveningder Abend.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The bookdas Buch that I prefer is very shortkurz.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You should prefer the busder Bus to the cardas Auto in towndie Stadt.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I prefer walkingzu Fuß gehen to takingnehmen the busder Bus.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Which shirtdas Hemd do you prefer, the redrot one or the blueblau one?
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:
vorziehen + das Fahrrad + der Bus + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause saying that it is raining.
- 2Prefer das Fahrrad to der Bus in the main clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Which do you prefer doing in your free time, and why?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence using the target verb.
- 2Name an activity you prefer in your free time.