Before you start
Meet zurücktreten
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zurück- + treten
- zurück-
- backward, away from a position
- treten
- to step
You step backward from a position, or withdraw from a role.
So zurücktreten means to step back; to resign.
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 treten
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: zurück·treten
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 trete einen Schritt zurück.I take a step back.
Subordinate clauseSie geht, weil er zurücktritt.She leaves because he resigns.
Participle: zurückgetretenzu-infinitive: zurückzutreten
Forms
How zurücktreten changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | trete zurück | trat zurück |
| du | trittst zurück | tratst zurück |
| er/sie/es | tritt zurück | trat zurück |
| wir | treten zurück | traten zurück |
| ihr | tretet zurück | tratet zurück |
| Sie | treten zurück | traten zurück |
Partizip II zurückgetreten · Perfekt with sein
Three examples
- 1Ich trete einen Schritt zurück.I take a step back.prefix goes to the end
- 2Er ist gestern zurückgetreten.He resigned yesterday.Perfekt with sein
- 3Sie möchte nicht zurücktreten.She does not want to resign.infinitive after modal verb
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zurücktreten + der Schritt
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Schritt to say how far he steps back.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He stepped back, and I saw him.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When the busder Bus came, she stepped back.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She resigned because she was illkrank.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The mander Mann who resigned worksarbeiten with my fatherder Vater.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He wants to resign soonbald.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
It is difficultschwer for him to step back.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Would you step back if the doordie Tür opened?
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:
zurücktreten + der Chef + dass
Your challenge
- 1Start with a main clause expressing what you think.
- 2Add a dass-clause about der Chef.
- 3Put the conjugated verb at the end of the dass-clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When would you step back from a situation?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one German sentence using zurücktreten.
- 2Use a wenn-clause to describe the situation.