ziehen
Strong Verb (Class 2: Grammatischer Wechsel h -> g) Level A2 ⭐ #31 Most CommonEnglish translation: to pull / to move (relocate)
Present (Präsens)
Pulling or moving now.
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| ich | ziehe | |
| du | ziehst | |
| er/sie/es | zieht | |
| wir | ziehen | |
| ihr | zieht | |
| sie/Sie | ziehen |
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Frequently Asked Questions: ZIEHEN
Is "ziehen" a regular or irregular verb in German? ▾
"ziehen" is classified as a Strong Verb (Class 2: Grammatischer Wechsel h -> g) verb in German. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "zieht, zog, gezogen". Undergoes historical Verner's Law sound change: root 'h' turns into 'g' in past: zog, gezogen. Auxiliary splits: sein (moving), haben (pulling). With movement/relocation ('nach Berlin ziehen'), it uses 'sein': Er ist nach Berlin gezogen. When pulling, it uses 'haben'.
What does "ziehen" mean in English? ▾
In English, "ziehen" translates primarily to "to pull / to move (relocate)". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A2 contexts for everyday communication.
What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "ziehen"? ▾
A frequent error is saying "Er hat nach Hamburg gezogen" instead of "Er ist nach Hamburg gezogen". Why? When 'ziehen' indicates moving homes/relocating, the auxiliary is 'sein' (ist gezogen).
What are common idioms or expressions with "ziehen"? ▾
A popular idiom is "Die Notbremse ziehen" which means "To pull the emergency brake / stop a runaway crisis" (e.g. "Das Management musste die Notbremse ziehen, um die Insolvenz abzuwenden.").
How can I practice and memorize "ziehen" conjugations? ▾
Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.
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Quick Practice: Fill in the Blanks
Test your understanding of 'ziehen' across tenses
Which auxiliary does 'nach Wien ziehen' (moving to Vienna) take in the Perfekt?
Other Important German Verbs to Study
to be
to have
to become / will (future auxiliary)
can / to be able to
to go / to walk
to see / look
to know (facts/information)
to stay / remain
to give / there is (es gibt)
to speak / talk
to drive / ride / travel
to help (takes dative)
to take
to write
to run / to walk / to function
to bring / to take to
to drink
to think
should / ought to / to be supposed to
may / to be allowed to / to have permission
to find / to consider / to think of
to want / to intend
to come / to arrive / to originate from
to stand / to be situated / to suit
to let / to allow / to leave behind
to begin / to start
to sleep
to need / to require
to believe / to think
to sit / to be seated
to fall
to carry / to wear
to meet / to hit a target
to fly
to close / to shut / to conclude
to forget
to know (be acquainted with)
to win / to gain
to offer / to bid
to recommend