Breakdown of Ich rege mich über die hinterhältige Lüge auf.
ich
I
über
about (a topic)
sich aufregen
to get upset
der
who, which, that (relative pronoun; die, das)
die Lüge
the lie
hinterhältig
sneaky
Questions & Answers about Ich rege mich über die hinterhältige Lüge auf.
How does the prefix hinter- in hinterhältige connect to this lesson's theme?
In this lesson, you are learning that the prefix hinter- often adds a sense of deceit or something happening behind your back. In the adjective hinterhältige (sneaky or underhanded), it does exactly that, describing an action or lie that is deceptive and hidden.
Where does the word hinterhältig come from?
It is derived from the noun der Hinterhalt (the ambush). Literally, it relates to holding (halten) something behind (hinter) you out of sight. The suffix -ig turns it into an adjective to describe sneaky or deceitful behavior.
The verb sich aufregen separates here (rege ... auf). If this sentence used a verb like hinterfragen, would it separate too?
No. While auf- is a separable prefix here, prefixes like hinter- and wider- are inseparable when used with abstract or figurative meanings. If you used hinterfragen (to scrutinize), it would stay attached as one word.
Why do we use the accusative die in über die hinterhältige Lüge?
The verb sich aufregen (to get upset) requires the preposition über. Although über is a two-way preposition for physical locations, it almost always takes the accusative case when used figuratively with a verb. Therefore, we use the accusative die for the feminine noun Lüge.
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