umfassen

Meaning and Usage

"umfassen" means "to encompass" or "to embrace" in English. It is used to indicate the action of enclosing or including something within a larger scope or range.

Linguistic Analysis

The word "umfassen" is a compound verb in German, formed by the prefix "um-" (meaning "around" or "encompassing") and the verb "fassen" (meaning "to grasp" or "to seize"). This compound verb reflects the action of grasping or seizing around something, thus encompassing it within a larger whole.

Comparisons between German and English

The word "umfassen" shares a similar concept with the English verb "to encompass." Both words convey the idea of surrounding or including something within a broader context.

Cultural Context

The concept of "umfassen" is commonly used in various contexts, such as project management, where it refers to the comprehensive scope of a project or in the context of embracing a wide range of ideas or perspectives.

Example Sentences

  1. Das Projekt umfasst mehrere Abteilungen.
  2. Seine Arbeit umfasst eine Vielzahl von Verantwortlichkeiten.
  3. Der Roman umfasst verschiedene historische Ereignisse.

Memory Tips

To remember the meaning of "umfassen," imagine the action of grasping something and enclosing it within your arms, symbolizing the encompassing or embracing aspect of the word.

Additional Vocabulary

  • einschließen (to include)
  • beinhalten (to contain)
  • umschließen (to enclose)

Gender and Plural (for nouns)

The word "umfassen" is a verb and does not have a gender or plural form.

Conjugation (for verbs)

  • ich umfasse (I encompass)
  • du umfasst (you encompass)
  • er/sie/es umfasst (he/she/it encompasses)
  • wir umfassen (we encompass)
  • ihr umfasst (you encompass)
  • sie umfassen (they encompass)