Before you start
Meet zurückgeben
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zurück- + geben
- zurück-
- back, toward the point of origin
- geben
- to give
You give something back toward where it came from.
So zurückgeben means to give back; to return.
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 geben
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: zurück·geben
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 clauseWir geben die Flasche heute zurück.We’re returning the bottle today.
Subordinate clause…, weil ich das Buch zurückgebe.… because I’m giving the book back.
Participle: zurückgegebenzu-infinitive: zurückzugeben
Forms
How zurückgeben changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | gebe zurück | gab zurück |
| du | gibst zurück | gabst zurück |
| er/sie/es | gibt zurück | gab zurück |
| wir | geben zurück | gaben zurück |
| ihr | gebt zurück | gabt zurück |
| Sie | geben zurück | gaben zurück |
Partizip II zurückgegeben · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich gebe das Buch morgen zurück.I’ll give the book back tomorrow.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat den Schlüssel zurückgegeben.She returned the key.Perfekt with haben
- 3…, weil er das Geld zurückgibt.… because he is giving the money back.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zurückgeben + das Buch + der Freund
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Give das Buch back to der Freund.
- 3Put the separable prefix at the end.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I gave it back to her yesterdaygestern.
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 got homenach Hause, I gave the bookdas Buch back to him.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I didn't give her the keyder Schlüssel back because I stillnoch needed it.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The book that you gave back to me is on the tableder Tisch.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You have to give them the moneydas Geld back todayheute.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She promisedversprechen to give him the phonedas Handy back.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Did you give her my bagdie Tasche back?
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:
zurückgeben + der Schlüssel + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put the verb at the end of that clause.
- 3Give der Schlüssel back to your neighbour in the present tense.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What is something you have returned to someone?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the Perfekt.
- 2Say what you gave back and to whom.