Before you start
Meet zutrauen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zu- + trauen
- zu-
- toward someone, as something attributed to them
- trauen
- to trust
You direct your trust toward someone and attribute the ability to do something to them.
So zutrauen means to believe someone is capable of doing something.
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·trauen
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 clauseEr traut seinem Sohn viel zu.He believes his son can do a lot.
Subordinate clauseSie sagt, dass er mir das zutraut.She says that he thinks I can do it.
Participle: zugetrautzu-infinitive: zuzutrauen
Forms
How zutrauen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | traue zu | traute zu |
| du | traust zu | trautest zu |
| er/sie/es | traut zu | traute zu |
| wir | trauen zu | trauten zu |
| ihr | traut zu | trautet zu |
| Sie | trauen zu | trauten zu |
Partizip II zugetraut · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Ich traue dir diese Arbeit zu.I think you can do this work.prefix goes to the end
- 2Sie hat ihm den Sieg zugetraut.She believed he could win.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich bleibe hier, weil ich es ihr zutraue.I’ll stay here because I think she can do it.verb at the end after weil
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zutrauen + der Bruder
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say that der Bruder believes you can do a lot.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I thought she could manageschaffen it.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I was youngerjung, I trusted myself more.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
He stayedbleiben at homezu Hause because he didn't think he could manageschaffen the tripdie Reise.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The teacherder Lehrer who trusts me to do ites schaffen often helps me.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Can you trust him with this workdie Arbeit?
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 7 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
She trusts herself to drivefahren to workdie Arbeit at nightnachts.
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 trust yourself to speaksprechen German at workdie Arbeit?
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:
zutrauen + die Tochter + dass
Your challenge
- 1Use a dass-clause.
- 2Say your daughter can find her way home alone.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What do you trust yourself to do well?
Your challenge
- 1Answer in one German sentence using zutrauen.
- 2Say what you trust yourself to do well.