{"id":7143,"date":"2018-07-22T06:39:36","date_gmt":"2018-07-22T06:39:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sprachschule-aktiv-wien.at\/?p=7143"},"modified":"2021-09-24T16:30:44","modified_gmt":"2021-09-24T16:30:44","slug":"the-german-prefix-ent-and-all-its-different-usages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sprachschule-aktiv-wien.at\/en\/the-german-prefix-ent-and-all-its-different-usages\/","title":{"rendered":"The German Prefix “Ent” and Its Different Usages"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The German Prefix “Ent” and Its Different Usages<\/h1>\n

This prefix with three small letters “ent” can completely change the meaning of a verb. However, it has different meanings and usages.<\/p>\n

Usage to undo something<\/h2>\n

You put the prefix “ent” before a verb to express that you want to bring something back to its original state. For example, you can use “entproblematisieren” to get rid of a problem or “entmutigen” it to take someone’s courage. Here is an example for this sentence:<\/p>\n

\u201cEr l\u00e4sst sich von seinem Lehrer nicht entmutigen und glaubt weiterhin fest an sich.\u201d<\/p>\n

Usage to express the beginning of something<\/h2>\n

The prefix “ent” can also express the exact opposite of the meaning just described in the section above. It can mean the beginning of something. When a fire begins to burn, it \u201dentz\u00fcndet\u201d (entz\u00fcnden, ignite) or \u201centbrennt\u201d (entbrennen, to flare up). When a new thing exists, one uses the word \u00a0\u201centstehen\u201d. An example for this is:<\/p>\n

\u201cBei der Geburt entsteht ein neues Leben.\u201d<\/p>\n

Usage to express the opposite of a verb<\/h2>\n

There are many verbs that have the prefix “ver” or “be” at the beginning. The opposite of this can be formed with “ent”.<\/p>\n

Examples:<\/p>\n

\u201cWenn ich meine Kleidung anziehe, bekleide ich mich.\u201d \u2013 \u201cWenn ich meine Kleidung ausziehe, entkleide ich mich.\u201d (entkleiden)
\n\u201cBei \u00dcberlastung kann sich ein Muskel verkrampfen.\u201d \u2013 \u201cNach einiger Zeit entkrampft er sich wieder.\u201d (entkrampfen)<\/p>\n

Other opposites: verzaubern \u2013 entzaubern; bewaffnen \u2013 entwaffnen<\/p>\n

However, one can also express an opposite of something that has neither the prefix “ver” or “be” in the word.<\/p>\n

For example:<\/p>\n

\u201cIch warne dich, hier k\u00f6nnte ein Wolf sein.\u201d \u2013 \u201cIch kann dich entwarnen, es ist keiner hier.\u201d (warnen \u2013 entwarnen)
\n\u201cDu musst die Waffe sichern, um nicht zu schie\u00dfen.\u201d \u2013 \u201cM\u00f6chtest du einen Schuss ausl\u00f6sen, musst die Waffe entsichern.\u201d (sichern \u2013 entsichern)<\/p>\n

Usage to express a withdrawal or removal<\/h2>\n

If you want to distance yourself from something or get away, you can use the words \u201centeilen\u201d, \u201centfliehen\u201d und \u201centrei\u00dfen\u201d<\/p>\n

Some examples are:<\/p>\n

\u201cSie hat es hier nicht mehr ausgehalten und enteilte nach M\u00fcnchen.\u201d
\n\u201cEr ist nicht mehr in seinem Zimmer. Er konnte entfliehen.\u201d
\n\u201cIch habe ihn festgehalten, doch er konnte sich mir entrei\u00dfen.\u201d<\/p>\n

In this context, you can also remove something. If you want to eat a melon, you must first “entkernen” it: That is, remove all the kernels. If you want to sweep the dust from the chimney, then you “entru\u00dfen” it.<\/p>\n

Usage to make something happen<\/h2>\n

Here one uses an adjective which describes a certain state and puts the prefix “ent-” as well as the final syllable “-en” to the word. For example, if you want to say that you have made a can empty, you will form the verb “entleeren”. If you want to express that a person has become a stranger, you use the word “entfremden”.<\/p>\n

Rule : ent + adjective + en<\/p>\n

Example : ent + fremd\u00a0+ en = “entfremden”<\/p>\n

Lassen Sie sich nicht \u201centmutigen\u201d und bleiben Sie am Ball!<\/p>\n

Check out our German language courses here:<\/h2>\n