Before you start
Meet zurückziehen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zurück- + ziehen
- zurück-
- back toward an earlier place or position
- ziehen
- to pull
Pull something back from where it was.
So zurückziehen means to withdraw; to pull back.
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 ziehen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: zurück·ziehen
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 Mann zieht sich ins Haus zurück.The man retreats into the house.
Subordinate clauseIch glaube, dass der Mann sich ins Haus zurückzieht.I think the man is retreating into the house.
Participle: zurückgezogenzu-infinitive: zurückzuziehen
Forms
How zurückziehen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | ziehe zurück | zog zurück |
| du | ziehst zurück | zogst zurück |
| er/sie/es | zieht zurück | zog zurück |
| wir | ziehen zurück | zogen zurück |
| ihr | zieht zurück | zogt zurück |
| Sie | ziehen zurück | zogen zurück |
Partizip II zurückgezogen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Die Firma zieht das Angebot zurück.The company withdraws the offer.prefix goes to the end
- 2Er hat seine Anmeldung zurückgezogen.He withdrew his registration.Perfekt with haben
- 3Sie bleibt zu Hause, weil er sich zurückzieht.She stays at home because he is withdrawing.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zurückziehen + der Antrag
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Antrag as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She has withdrawn it from the bankdie Bank.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When he was youngjung, he withdrew from his friendsder Freund, die Freunde.
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Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We stayed homezu Hause bleiben because she withdrew from the conversationdas Gespräch.
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Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I know a mander Mann who withdrew his applicationder Antrag yesterdaygestern.
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 withdraw his offerdas Angebot todayheute.
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Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She wentgehen to the bankdie Bank to withdraw her moneydas Geld.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Why did they withdraw from the groupdie Gruppe?
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Task 9 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zurückziehen + der Vorschlag + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Use der Vorschlag as the object.
- 2Add an obwohl-clause.
- 3Put the conjugated verb at the end of that clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you usually withdraw from a group or conversation?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with a wenn-clause.
- 2Use the present tense and the target verb.