01
zuweisen
to assign
To officially allocate or give someone a task, a place, or a resource.
example
Jedem Teilnehmer wurde ein fester Sitzplatz zugewiesen.
Each participant was assigned a fixed seat.
zuweisen
to assign
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
01 / 02
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Zuweisen' (to assign) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zu' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Der Lehrer weist jedem Schüler eine Aufgabe zu.
The teacher assigns each student a task.
Dative construction
This verb is typically used with a person in the dative and a thing in the accusative. The structure is: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative) zuweisen.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma wies mir ein neues Projekt zu.
The company assigned me a new project.
Register and style
'Zuweisen' (to assign) is a rather formal word that is often used in administration, at work, or in official contexts.
EXAMPLE
Dem Antragsteller wurde eine Bearbeitungsnummer zugewiesen.
The applicant was assigned a processing number.
Context clue
In this meaning, it is about the concrete distribution of tasks, places, or resources. You can recognize it by the fact that a practical thing is allocated to a person.
EXAMPLE
Jedem Mitarbeiter wurde ein eigener Parkplatz zugewiesen.
Each employee was assigned their own parking space.
Compare with
zuweisen vs vergeben
to assign / to forgive / to miss
'vergeben' and 'zuweisen' can both mean that someone gets something or has something allocated to them. 'vergeben' is often used with prizes, contracts, grades, appointments, or tasks. It suggests a choice or decision. 'zuweisen' fits better when a person is officially assigned to a place, task, or resource. It often sounds somewhat administrative or organizational. Learners may confuse the words because, for example, tasks can be both 'vergeben' and 'zugewiesen'. 'zuweisen' puts more emphasis on a fixed assignment.
zuweisen
Am Empfang weist man jedem Besucher einen Sitzplatz zu.
At reception, each visitor is assigned a seat.
vergeben
Die Lehrerin vergibt die Aufgaben für das Gruppenprojekt.
The teacher assigns the tasks for the group project.
In real life
Loading video examples...