Polyglot Dictionary

zusprechen

/ˈtsuːˌʃpʁɛçn̩/

verb C1

der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)

Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.

Forms

present: spricht zu
past: sprach zu
perfect: hat zugesprochen

Meaning

to award, to grant (a right or prize)

Built from zu (shut, closed, to) + sprechen (to speak).
- Das Gericht sprach ihr das Sorgerecht zu.
  
  The court awarded her custody.
- Das Gericht sprach ihm eine Entschädigung zu. Er bekam tausend Euro.
  
  The court awarded him compensation. He received a thousand euros.
to encourage, to speak comforting words to
- Der Trainer sprach den Spielern Mut zu.
  
  The coach spoke words of encouragement to the players.
- Die Freundin sprach ihr in der schweren Zeit Mut zu. Das half ihr sehr.
  
  Her friend spoke encouraging words to her in the hard time. That helped her a lot.

Made of

zu shut, closed, to
sprechen to speak

Similar words

Close — both involve officially granting something.

Similar in other languages

English

grant is the English word for the same thing — both mean "to award, to grant."

Practice

1 What does zusprechen mean?

2 Fill the gap: Das Gericht ___ ihr das Sorgerecht zu.

3 Which fingerprint chart matches zusprechen?

See also

sprechen

verbirregularseparablecompound

Last updated 2026-09-21