Before you start
Meet weitergeben
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
weiter- + geben
- weiter-
- onward, to another person or place
- geben
- to give
You give something onward to someone else.
So weitergeben means to pass on; to hand on.
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 geben
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: weiter·geben
In a main clause the prefix weiter 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 geben die Einladung weiter.We pass on the invitation.
Subordinate clause…, weil ich die Nachricht weitergebe.…, because I pass on the message.
Participle: weitergegebenzu-infinitive: weiterzugeben
Forms
How weitergeben changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | gebe weiter | gab weiter |
| du | gibst weiter | gabst weiter |
| er/sie/es | gibt weiter | gab weiter |
| wir | geben weiter | gaben weiter |
| ihr | gebt weiter | gabt weiter |
| Sie | geben weiter | gaben weiter |
Partizip II weitergegeben · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich gebe die Nachricht weiter.I pass on the message.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat das Buch weitergegeben.She passed on the book.Perfekt with haben
- 3Du kannst die Adresse weitergeben.You can pass on the address.with a modal verb
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
weitergeben + der Brief
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Brief as the direct object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I passed it on to him.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When we got the messagedie Nachricht from the teacherder Lehrer, die Lehrerin, we passed it on to our parentsdie Eltern.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He passed the messagedie Nachricht on because his motherdie Mutter asked him to.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I passed on the bookdas Buch that you gave me.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She wants to pass the addressdie Adresse on to them.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He called to pass the newsdie Nachricht on.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Who did you pass my numberdie Nummer on to?
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:
weitergeben + die Information + dass
Your challenge
- 1Start with a main clause meaning “I know.”
- 2Add a dass-clause.
- 3Put the conjugated verb at the end of that clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Who do you usually pass news on to?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using weitergeben.
- 2Say who you usually pass news on to.