Before you start
Meet weitermachen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
weiter- + machen
- weiter-
- onward, further
- machen
- to do, to make
Keep doing the activity and move it onward.
So weitermachen means to continue; to carry 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 machen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: weiter·machen
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 clauseNach der Pause machen wir weiter.We’ll carry on after the break.
Subordinate clauseIch bleibe hier, weil wir weitermachen.I’ll stay here because we’re carrying on.
Participle: weitergemachtzu-infinitive: weiterzumachen
Forms
How weitermachen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | mache weiter | machte weiter |
| du | machst weiter | machtest weiter |
| er/sie/es | macht weiter | machte weiter |
| wir | machen weiter | machten weiter |
| ihr | macht weiter | machtet weiter |
| Sie | machen weiter | machten weiter |
Partizip II weitergemacht · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich mache nach dem Essen weiter.I’ll carry on after the meal.present tense, prefix at end
- 2Wir haben nach der Pause weitergemacht.We carried on after the break.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich mache weiter, weil ich noch Zeit habe.I’ll carry on because I still have time.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
weitermachen + die Arbeit
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say that you are continuing with die Arbeit.
- 3Put the separable prefix at the end.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I continued with it at homezu Hause.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the rainder Regen stoppedaufhören, we continued with our walkder Spaziergang.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I carried on with the workdie Arbeit because my bossder Chef was latezu spät.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I continued with the plander Plan that she suggestedvorschlagen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You can continue with the gamedas Spiel after dinnerdas Abendessen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She decidedbeschließen to continue her German courseder Deutschkurs.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Why did you continue with the workdie Arbeit although you were tiredmüde?
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:
weitermachen + die Arbeit + dass
Your challenge
- 1Write one sentence with a dass-clause.
- 2Say that someone continues with die Arbeit.
- 3Put the verb at the end of the dass-clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you usually continue doing after a break?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence using the present tense.
- 2Say what you continue doing after a break.