Before you start
Meet zuführen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zu- + führen
- zu-
- toward a destination or recipient
- führen
- to lead or guide
To führen something zu a destination is to direct it there, such as supplying it to a person or feeding it into a process.
So zuführen means to supply, feed, or lead something to a destination.
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 führen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: zu·führen
In a main clause the prefix zu splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseDie Leitung führt Wasser ins Haus zu.The pipe supplies water to the house.
Subordinate clauseIch weiß, dass die Leitung Wasser ins Haus zuführt.I know that the pipe supplies water to the house.
Participle: zugeführtzu-infinitive: zuzuführen
Forms
How zuführen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | führe zu | führte zu |
| du | führst zu | führtest zu |
| er/sie/es | führt zu | führte zu |
| wir | führen zu | führten zu |
| ihr | führt zu | führtet zu |
| Sie | führen zu | führten zu |
Partizip II zugeführt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Er führt dem Tier Wasser zu.He supplies the animal with water.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie haben dem Mann Wasser zugeführt.They supplied the man with water.Perfekt with haben
- 3Weil sie dem Kind Essen zuführt, wird es ruhiger.Because she gives the child food, it becomes calmer.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zuführen + der Patient + das Wasser
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Make der Patient the recipient.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The nursedie Pflegekraft · die Krankenschwester supplied him with waterdas Wasser.
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 plantdie Pflanze was drytrocken, we supplied it with 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:
We supplied him with waterdas Wasser because he was illkrank.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The machinedie Maschine that supplies the housedas Haus with warmwarm waterdas Wasser is oldalt.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The doctorder Arzt · die Ärztin must supply her with more waterdas Wasser.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He tried to supply her with enoughgenug waterdas Wasser.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Can you supply the plantsdie Pflanze, die Pflanzen with waterdas Wasser while I am awayweg?
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:
zuführen + der Patient + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put that clause's verb at the end.
- 3Supply the patient with water in the main clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When might you need someone to supply you with extra water?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one German sentence.
- 2Use a wenn-clause to describe the situation.