Before you start
Meet zuordnen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 2 meanings
- to categorize, to classify [with dative ‘as belonging to some category or period’]
- to assign, to allocate [with dative ‘to a group, partner, category’]
Build the meaning
zu- + ordnen
- zu-
- toward or into a designated place or group
- ordnen
- to arrange or put in order
You arrange something into the place or group where it belongs.
So zuordnen means to assign; to classify.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: zu·ordnen
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 clauseSie ordnet die Kinder einer Gruppe zu.She assigns the children to a group.
Subordinate clauseEr lächelt, weil ich ihn dem Team zuordne.He smiles because I assign him to the team.
Participle: zugeordnetzu-infinitive: zuzuordnen
Forms
How zuordnen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | ordne zu | ordnete zu |
| du | ordnest zu | ordnetest zu |
| er/sie/es | ordnet zu | ordnete zu |
| wir | ordnen zu | ordneten zu |
| ihr | ordnet zu | ordnetet zu |
| Sie | ordnen zu | ordneten zu |
Partizip II zugeordnet · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich ordne die Tassen den Gästen zu.I assign the cups to the guests.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben den Fehler der falschen Person zugeordnet.We assigned the mistake to the wrong person.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich weiß, wo ich das Bild zuordnen soll.I know where I should place the picture.verb at the end
Verb family
More verbs built on ordnen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.