Before you start
Meet zulegen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zu- + legen
- zu-
- toward oneself or as an addition
- legen
- to lay or put
Imagine adding something to yourself, as when you acquire an item or put on weight.
So zulegen means to acquire or get for oneself; to put on weight; to increase.
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 legen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: zu·legen
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 clauseIch lege mir heute ein neues Buch zu.I’m getting myself a new book today.
Subordinate clauseIch bin froh, weil ich mir ein neues Buch zulege.I’m happy because I’m getting myself a new book.
Participle: zugelegtzu-infinitive: zuzulegen
Forms
How zulegen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | lege zu | legte zu |
| du | legst zu | legtest zu |
| er/sie/es | legt zu | legte zu |
| wir | legen zu | legten zu |
| ihr | legt zu | legtet zu |
| Sie | legen zu | legten zu |
Partizip II zugelegt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich lege mir ein neues Fahrrad zu.I’m getting myself a new bicycle.separable prefix at the end
- 2Sie hat sich ein warmes Kleid zugelegt.She got herself a warm dress.Perfekt with haben
- 3Er will zulegen, weil er zu dünn ist.He wants to put on weight because he is too thin.put on weight
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zulegen + das Fahrrad
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use a dative pronoun for yourself.
- 3Say what you get.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I got myself a new bikedas Fahrrad last yearletztes Jahr.
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 started my new jobdie Arbeit · der Job, I got myself a bicycledas Fahrrad.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He got himself a warmwarm coatder Mantel because winterder Winter was coming.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The bikedas Fahrrad that he got himself is very fastschnell.
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 get yourself a warmerwarm jacketdie Jacke for winterder Winter.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She is saving moneydas Geld to get herself a new computerder Computer.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Did he get the phonedas Handy for himself, or did his sisterdie Schwester give it to him?
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:
zulegen + das Tempo + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put that clause's verb at the end.
- 3Say that someone increases the pace despite being tired.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What would you like to get for yourself next year?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence.
- 2Use zulegen with a dative pronoun.
- 3Use Konjunktiv II to say what you would like.