zudenken

Definition & meaning

The verb zudenken is a separable German verb with two primary meanings:

1. To intend or assign for someone/something: It describes the act of designating or allocating something to a person or a specific purpose. For example, if you set aside a gift or a sum of money for someone, you "zudenken" that object to them.
2. To intend to do something (archaic/formal): In some contexts, it can express the intention or plan to carry out an action, similar to "vorhaben" or "beabsichtigen".

Grammar & Word origin

This is a separable verb (trennbares Verb). In a sentence, the prefix zu- detaches and moves to the end of the clause.

• Example: "Ich denke dir das Geschenk zu." (I intend this gift for you.)

It is composed of two parts:

• zu-: A prefix often indicating direction or assignment.
• denken ?: To think.

It is formed by combining the prepositional prefix zu with the verb denken, implying that one is "thinking" something "towards" a specific recipient or purpose.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• bestimmen ? (to designate)
• vorsehen ? (to earmark/provide for)
• zuteilen ? (to allocate)
• beabsichtigen ? (to intend)
• vorhaben ? (to plan)

Antonyms:

• entziehen ? (to withdraw/withhold)
• verweigern ? (to refuse/deny)