Before you start

Meet zuwenden

Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.

Build the meaning

zu- + wenden

zu-
toward, in the direction of
wenden
to turn

Turn yourself toward someone or something, directing your attention to it.

So zuwenden means to turn toward; to devote oneself or one’s attention 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 wenden

Same base verb, a different prefix, a new meaning.

Separable verb: zu·wenden

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 clauseIch wende mich dem Fenster zu.I turn towards the window.
Subordinate clause…, weil ich mich dem Fenster zuwende.… because I turn towards the window.
Participle: zugewandtzu-infinitive: zuzuwenden
Forms

How zuwenden changes

PronounPräsensPräteritum
ichwende zuwandte zu
duwendest zuwandtest zu
er/sie/eswendet zuwandte zu
wirwenden zuwandten zu
ihrwendet zuwandtet zu
Siewenden zuwandten zu

Partizip II zugewandt · Perfekt with haben

Three examples

  1. 1
    Ich wende mich dem Fenster zu.I turn towards the window.prefix goes to the end
  2. 2
    Sie hat sich wieder ihrer Arbeit zugewandt.She has turned her attention back to her work.Perfekt with haben
  3. 3
    Er kann sich jetzt seiner Familie zuwenden.He can devote himself to his family now.modal verb with infinitive