Before you start
Meet zurücklegen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zurück- + legen
- zurück-
- back, away from the current place
- legen
- to lay or place
Place something back or to one side; with a distance, imagine leaving that stretch behind you.
So zurücklegen means to put back, set aside, or cover a distance.
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: zurück·legen
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 clauseIch lege die Zeitung zurück.I put the newspaper back.
Subordinate clauseEr sagt, dass er das Buch zurücklegt.He says that he is putting the book back.
Participle: zurückgelegtzu-infinitive: zurückzulegen
Forms
How zurücklegen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | lege zurück | legte zurück |
| du | legst zurück | legtest zurück |
| er/sie/es | legt zurück | legte zurück |
| wir | legen zurück | legten zurück |
| ihr | legt zurück | legtet zurück |
| Sie | legen zurück | legten zurück |
Partizip II zurückgelegt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich lege das Buch zurück.I put the book back.prefix goes to the end
- 2Wir haben heute zehn Kilometer zurückgelegt.We covered ten kilometers today.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich spare Geld, weil ich jeden Monat etwas zurücklege.I save money because I put some aside every month.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zurücklegen + der Schlüssel
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Schlüssel as the direct object.
- 3Say where you put it.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I put it back in the kitchendie Küche.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When she had covered ten kilometerszehn Kilometer, she took a breakdie Pause.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
They put moneydas Geld aside because they want to buykaufen a cardas Auto.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The distancedie Strecke that we covered yesterday was very longlang.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
You can cover the distancedie Strecke by bikedas Rad.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She puts moneydas Geld aside to travelreisen next yearnächstes Jahr.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
How many kilometersder Kilometer, die Kilometer did you cover yesterday?
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:
zurücklegen + das Geld + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Put that clause's verb at the end.
- 3Say that he puts money aside every month.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What are you putting money aside for? Answer in one German sentence.
Your challenge
- 1Answer with what you are saving money for.
- 2Use the present tense and zurücklegen.