Before you start
Meet zurückführen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zurück- + führen
- zurück-
- back to an earlier point or source
- führen
- to lead
Lead something back to where it began to identify its source.
So zurückführen means to trace back; to attribute.
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: zurück·führen
In a main clause the prefix zurück splits off and goes to the end. After weil, dass and other subordinating words, the verb stays in one piece at the end.
Main clauseDer Arzt führt den Schmerz auf die Arbeit zurück.The doctor traces the pain back to work.
Subordinate clauseSie sagt, dass er den Fehler auf den Regen zurückführt.She says that he attributes the mistake to the rain.
Participle: zurückgeführtzu-infinitive: zurückzuführen
Forms
How zurückführen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | führe zurück | führte zurück |
| du | führst zurück | führtest zurück |
| er/sie/es | führt zurück | führte zurück |
| wir | führen zurück | führten zurück |
| ihr | führt zurück | führtet zurück |
| Sie | führen zurück | führten zurück |
Partizip II zurückgeführt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Sie führt den Fehler auf den Regen zurück.She attributes the mistake to the rain.present, prefix at the end
- 2Wir haben den Lärm auf die Straße zurückgeführt.We traced the noise back to the street.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich glaube, dass sie den Streit auf den Stress zurückführt.I think she attributes the argument to stress.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zurückführen + das Problem
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say what caused the problem.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I traced it back to the rainder Regen.
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 busder Bus was lateverspätet, we traced the delaydie Verspätung back to an accidentder Unfall.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Because he was tiredmüde, we traced his mistakeder Fehler back to stressder Stress.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The old pipedas Rohr, which we traced the problemdas Problem back to, was brokenkaputt.
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 can trace the painder Schmerz, die Schmerzen back to long workdie Arbeit.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
They tried to trace the noisedas Geräusch back to the kitchendie Küche.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Could the damageder Schaden be traced back to the stormder Sturm?
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:
zurückführen + der Fehler + der Regen + dass
Your challenge
- 1Use a dass-clause.
- 2Put its conjugated verb at the end.
- 3Say that the rain caused the mistake.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What is one problem you have had, and what caused it?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the target verb.
- 2Say what you trace a problem back to.