Before you start
Meet wirken
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 9 meanings
- (intransitive) to function, to be effective, to work
- (copulative, sometimes impersonal) to appear, to seem [with auf (+ accusative) ‘to someone’]
- (intransitive) to have an effect [with auf (+ accusative) ‘on someone/something’]
- (transitive) to perform (some action), to achieve (some effect), to work (cause to happen), to cast (a spell)
- (intransitive) to work or be active in a certain field or industry
- (intransitive) to work [with für (+ accusative) ‘for/toward a goal or for a cause’]
Forms
How wirken changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | wirke | wirkte |
| du | wirkst | wirktest |
| er/sie/es | wirkt | wirkte |
| wir | wirken | wirkten |
| ihr | wirkt | wirktet |
| Sie | wirken | wirkten |
Partizip II gewirkt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Das neue Licht wirkt sehr hell.The new light looks very bright.appear or seem
- 2Die Tablette hat schnell gewirkt.The tablet worked quickly.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich glaube, dass er müde wirkt.I think he looks tired.verb at the end after dass
Verb family
Separable verbs built on wirken
Add a prefix to wirken and the meaning changes.