unternehme

Unternehme is the first-person singular present indicative form of the German verb unternehmen, meaning to undertake or to embark on an activity. The verb can be used with actions, plans, or initiatives, and it is common in both everyday speech and formal writing.

The verb derives from unter- plus nehmen (to take), with the sense of taking on a task or proceeding with an action. In usage, unternehmen often pairs with a direct object describing the action, as in etwas unternehmen (to undertake something) or eine Reise/Maßnahme unternehmen (to undertake a journey or a measure). The meaning emphasizes initiating or carrying out an intended activity rather than merely planning it.

Conjugation overview (present, indicative): ich unternehme, du unternimmst, er/sie/es unternimmt, wir unternehmen, ihr unternimmt, Sie unternehmen. The perfect tense is formed with haben: ich habe unternommen. Imperfect (simple past) forms include ich unternahm, du unternahmst, er unternahm, wir unternahmen, ihr unternahmt, Sie unternahmen. The future is built with werden: ich werde unternehmen.

Common usages include phrases such as etwas unternehmen (to undertake something), gemeinsam etwas unternehmen (to undertake something together), or Reise/Unternehmungen unternehmen (to undertake trips or ventures). A frequent source of confusion is the noun Unternehmen, which means an enterprise or company; despite the similar spelling and root, the noun is capitalized and functions as a noun rather than a verb.

In summary, unternehme highlights active initiation of actions and is one of several German verbs formed with prefixing and taking, closely related to the broader concept of taking on tasks or ventures.