Before you start
Meet zuordnen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
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.
Verb family
More verbs built on ordnen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
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
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zuordnen + der Name
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Add a dative recipient.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I assigned it to her yesterday.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the teacherder Lehrer, die Lehrerin gave us the papersdas Blatt, die Blätter, we assigned them to the right namesder Name, die Namen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We assigned the roomdas Zimmer to him because he was new.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The name that I assigned to her is on the listdie Liste.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You must assign each photodas Foto to a persondie Person.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I tried to assign the names to the photosdas Foto, die Fotos.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Could you assign this seatder Platz to me?
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:
zuordnen + das Foto + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put its conjugated verb at the end.
- 3Add a main clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
Have you ever assigned a photo to the wrong person? Answer in one German sentence.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one sentence using the Perfekt.
- 2Say who you assigned something to.