Before you start
Meet zusammensetzen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zusammen- + setzen
- zusammen-
- together, into a combined whole
- setzen
- to place or set
Set separate parts together to make a whole.
So zusammensetzen means to put together or assemble; to consist of.
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 setzen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
- einsetzento put in, insert
- durchsetzento carry through, enforce
- fortsetzento continue
- umsetzento move, to put into practice
- voraussetzenpresuppose, take for granted
- ansetzento position, estimate, fix
- aussetzento abandon
- absetzento take off, dismiss
Separable verb: zusammen·setzen
In a main clause the prefix zusammen 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 setzen die Teile zusammen.We put the pieces together.
Subordinate clauseIch helfe, weil wir die Teile zusammensetzen.I help because we are putting the pieces together.
Participle: zusammengesetztzu-infinitive: zusammenzusetzen
Forms
How zusammensetzen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | setze zusammen | setzte zusammen |
| du | setzt zusammen | setztest zusammen |
| er/sie/es | setzt zusammen | setzte zusammen |
| wir | setzen zusammen | setzten zusammen |
| ihr | setzt zusammen | setztet zusammen |
| Sie | setzen zusammen | setzten zusammen |
Partizip II zusammengesetzt · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich setze das Bild aus kleinen Teilen zusammen.I put the picture together from small pieces.assemble something
- 2Wir haben den Tisch zusammengesetzt.We put the table together.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich weiß, dass sich das Team aus fünf Leuten zusammensetzt.I know that the team consists of five people.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zusammensetzen + der Tisch
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Use der Tisch as the object.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I put it together yesterday.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When we movedumziehen, my brother put the shelfdas Regal together.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She put the chairder Stuhl together because all the partsdas Teil, die Teile were on the floorder Boden.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The table that my father put together is very sturdystabil.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
They want to put the chairsder Stuhl, die Stühle together before dinnerdas Abendessen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I read the instructionsdie Anleitung to put the cupboardder Schrank together correctlyrichtig.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
What does your teamdas Team consist of?
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:
zusammensetzen + der Tisch + dass
Your challenge
- 1Use a dass-clause.
- 2Put the conjugated verb at the end of that clause.
- 3Use der Tisch as the object.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What piece of furniture have you put together yourself?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one sentence using the Perfekt.
- 2Name a piece of furniture you put together.