Before you start
Meet zutreffen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
Build the meaning
zu- + treffen
- zu-
- toward or onto, suggesting a match with something
- treffen
- to hit or meet
An assertion “hits onto” the facts, so it matches them.
So zutreffen means to be correct; to apply to.
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 treffen
Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.
Separable verb: zu·treffen
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 Satz trifft auf dich zu.The sentence applies to you.
Subordinate clauseIch sehe, dass die Regel auf uns zutrifft.I see that the rule applies to us.
Participle: zugetroffenzu-infinitive: zuzutreffen
Forms
How zutreffen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | treffe zu | traf zu |
| du | triffst zu | trafst zu |
| er/sie/es | trifft zu | traf zu |
| wir | treffen zu | trafen zu |
| ihr | trefft zu | traft zu |
| Sie | treffen zu | trafen zu |
Partizip II zugetroffen · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Das trifft heute zu.That is true today.prefix goes to the end
- 2Die Antwort hat auf mich zugetroffen.The answer applied to me.Perfekt with haben
- 3Ich glaube, dass das zutrifft.I think that is correct.verb at the end after dass
Task 1 of 10 · Build a sentence
Build a German sentence using these words:
zutreffen + der Satz
Your challenge
- 1Use the present tense.
- 2Say that the sentence applies to you.
Task 2 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
That was true for her too.
Task 3 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
When I was a childdas Kind, die Kinder, this ruledie Regel, die Regeln applied to me.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 4 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
I thinkdenken this answerdie Antwort, die Antworten is correctrichtig because it fits the questiondie Frage, die Fragen.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 5 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
The sentenceder Satz, die Sätze that applies to us is on the pagedie Seite, die Seiten.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 6 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
This ruledie Regel, die Regeln must also apply to them.
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 to saysagen whether this also applies to childrendas Kind, die Kinder.
Stuck on a word? Hover or tap an underlined word to see it in German.
Task 8 of 10 · Translate
Translate into German:
Does this also apply to our familydie Familie, die Familien?
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:
zutreffen + dass
Your challenge
- 1Start with a main clause expressing belief.
- 2Add a dass-clause.
- 3Use zutreffen in that clause.
Task 10 of 10 · Free writing
Answer in one full German sentence:
What rule applies to you in your daily life?
Your challenge
- 1Answer with one rule from your daily life.
- 2Use zutreffen to say that the rule applies to you.