> A comprehensive overview of German separable and inseparable prefix verbs, including how they work, conjugate, and function in sentences.
German prefix verbs are verbs combined with a prefix that changes their meaning. These prefixes can be separable or inseparable, which affects how the verb is conjugated and where the prefix appears in the sentence.
- Separable prefixes detach and move to the end of the sentence in main clauses.
- Inseparable prefixes stay attached to the verb at all times.
- The type of prefix determines word order, verb placement, and meaning.
Separable Prefix Verbs
Separable prefix verbs are formed by adding a prefix that can split from the verb stem in main clauses. The prefix moves to the end of the sentence, while the verb is conjugated in the second position.
How They Work
- The prefix is pronounced as a separate syllable.
- In main clauses, the prefix goes to the end of the sentence.
- In infinitive and subordinate clauses, the verb and prefix stay together.
Common Separable Prefixes
- ab- (away): abfahren (to depart)
- an- (on/to): ankommen (to arrive)
- auf- (up/open): aufstehen (to get up)
- aus- (out): ausgehen (to go out)
- ein- (in): einkaufen (to shop)
- mit- (with): mitkommen (to come along)
- vor- (before/forward): vorbereiten (to prepare)
- zu- (closed/to): zumachen (to close)
Examples
| Separable Prefix Verb | English | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| abfahren | to depart | Der Zug fährt um 8 Uhr ab. | The train departs at 8 a.m. |
| ankommen | to arrive | Wir kommen morgen an. | We arrive tomorrow. |
| aufstehen | to get up | Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. | I get up at 7 a.m. |
| einkaufen | to shop | Sie kauft im Supermarkt ein. | She shops at the supermarket. |
| mitkommen | to come along | Kommst du mit? | Are you coming along? |
Inseparable Prefix Verbs
Inseparable prefix verbs have prefixes that never separate from the verb stem. The prefix and verb are always written and pronounced together.
How They Work
- The prefix stays attached in all forms and tenses.
- There is no prefix splitting in any clause.
- The verb is conjugated normally, with the prefix in place.
Common Inseparable Prefixes
- be-: besuchen (to visit)
- ent-: entdecken (to discover)
- er-: erklären (to explain)
- ver-: vergessen (to forget)
- zer-: zerbrechen (to break apart)
- ge-: gefallen (to please)
- über-: überlegen (to consider)
- unter-: unterschreiben (to sign)
Examples
| Inseparable Prefix Verb | English | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| besuchen | to visit | Ich besuche meine Großeltern. | I visit my grandparents. |
| entdecken | to discover | Wir entdecken neue Orte. | We discover new places. |
| erklären | to explain | Der Lehrer erklärt die Grammatik. | The teacher explains the grammar. |
| vergessen | to forget | Ich vergesse immer meine Schlüssel. | I always forget my keys. |
| unterschreiben | to sign | Bitte unterschreiben Sie hier. | Please sign here. |
How to Recognize Them
Separable Prefixes
- Commonly: ab-, an-, auf-, aus-, bei-, ein-, mit-, vor-, zu-
- In main clauses, the prefix appears at the end.
- Example: Ich stehe früh auf.
Inseparable Prefixes
- Commonly: be-, ent-, er-, ver-, zer-, ge-, über-, unter-
- The verb never splits; stays together in all forms.
- The prefix is usually unstressed.
- Example: Ich besuche meine Tante.
Conjugation Examples
1. Separable Prefix Verb: aufstehen (to get up)
| German Pronoun | Conjugation | English Conjugation | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | stehe ... auf | I get up | Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. | I get up at 7 a.m. |
| du | stehst ... auf | you get up | Du stehst früh auf. | You get up early. |
| er/sie/es | steht ... auf | he/she/it gets up | Sie steht spät auf. | She gets up late. |
| wir | stehen ... auf | we get up | Wir stehen zusammen auf. | We get up together. |
| ihr | steht ... auf | you (pl.) get up | Ihr steht niemals früh auf. | You (pl.) never get up early. |
| sie/Sie | stehen ... auf | they/you (formal) get up | Sie stehen um 6 Uhr auf. | They/You get up at 6 a.m. |
2. Inseparable Prefix Verb: besuchen (to visit)
| German Pronoun | Conjugation | English Conjugation | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | besuche | I visit | Ich besuche meine Freunde. | I visit my friends. |
| du | besuchst | you visit | Du besuchst deine Großeltern. | You visit your grandparents. |
| er/sie/es | besucht | he/she/it visits | Er besucht das Museum. | He visits the museum. |
| wir | besuchen | we visit | Wir besuchen die Schule. | We visit the school. |
| ihr | besucht | you (pl.) visit | Ihr besucht oft das Kino. | You (pl.) often visit the cinema. |
| sie/Sie | besuchen | they/you (formal) visit | Sie besuchen das Konzert. | They/You visit the concert. |
Usage in Sentences
Separable Prefix Verbs
- In main clauses, the prefix goes to the sentence end.
- In subordinate clauses and infinitives, the verb and prefix stay together.
Examples:
- Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. (I get up at 7 a.m.)
- Wann kommst du an? (When do you arrive?)
- Wir müssen früh aufstehen. (We have to get up early.)
- Ich weiß, dass du früh aufstehst. (I know that you get up early.)
Inseparable Prefix Verbs
- The prefix never separates, no matter the clause type.
- The verb is written and spoken as a single unit.
Examples:
- Ich besuche meine Tante. (I visit my aunt.)
- Er vergisst seine Hausaufgaben. (He forgets his homework.)
- Wir müssen die Dokumente unterschreiben. (We have to sign the documents.)
- Ich weiß, dass du das Museum besuchst. (I know that you visit the museum.)
Common Mistakes
- Don’t split inseparable prefixes: besuchen ≠ besuche ... an
- Always separate separable prefixes in main clauses: Ich stehe auf, not Ich aufstehe.
- Word order matters: The prefix goes to the end of the sentence, not immediately after the verb.
- Stress the prefix in separable verbs; it’s unstressed in inseparable verbs.
Summary
- Separable prefix verbs: Prefix detaches and goes to the end in main clauses (e.g., aufstehen → Ich stehe auf.).
- Inseparable prefix verbs: Prefix stays attached in all forms and positions (e.g., besuchen → Ich besuche...).
- Recognize by prefix: Common separable prefixes are ab-, an-, auf-, aus-, ein-, mit-, vor-, zu-; common inseparable prefixes are be-, ent-, er-, ver-, zer-, ge-, über-, unter-.
- Meaning changes: The prefix often changes the base verb’s meaning significantly.
- Pronunciation tip: Separable prefixes are stressed; inseparable are unstressed.
Understanding prefix verbs is key to mastering German verb patterns and sentence structure!
Last updated: Sat May 31, 2025
