Before you start
Meet zusagen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zu- + sagen
- zu-
- toward acceptance or assent
- sagen
- to say
You say “yes” to a request, committing yourself to it.
So zusagen means to agree to, accept, or promise.
A memory aid, not a rule: prefixes change meaning from verb to verb.
Learning approach inspired by this explanation in r/German.
Separable verb: zu·sagen
In a main clause the prefix zu 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 neue Plan sagt mir zu.I like the new plan.
Subordinate clauseIch bin froh, dass der Termin ihr zusagt.I’m glad she likes the appointment.
Participle: zugesagtzu-infinitive: zuzusagen
Forms
How zusagen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | sage zu | sagte zu |
| du | sagst zu | sagtest zu |
| er/sie/es | sagt zu | sagte zu |
| wir | sagen zu | sagten zu |
| ihr | sagt zu | sagtet zu |
| Sie | sagen zu | sagten zu |
Partizip II zugesagt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Der Film sagt mir zu.I like the film.suits someone
- 2Sie hat ihre Hilfe zugesagt.She promised her help.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich hoffe, dass er uns morgen zusagt.I hope he says yes to us tomorrow.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zusagen + die Einladung
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use die Einladung as the thing you accept.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I said yes to her yesterday.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When she asked me, I said yes immediatelysofort.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He said yes because he had timedie Zeit.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The offerdas Angebot that my bossder Chef made appealed to me.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
We can say yes to them today.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She promised to helphelfen me tomorrow.
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 say yes to the invitationdie Einladung if your sisterdie Schwester came too?
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:
zusagen + das Angebot + obwohl
Your challenge
- 1Start with an obwohl-clause.
- 2Say the offer is expensive.
- 3Accept the offer in the main clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
When do you usually say yes to an invitation?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one German sentence.
- 2Use zusagen in the present tense.