Separable Verbs
Spoken Description
Lerne die wichtigsten Regeln für trennbare Verben: Trennbare Präfixe, Verbpositionen im Satz, kurze und vollständige Konjugationen sowie häufige Verben und Ausnahmen. Unterstützendes Beispielmaterial und Übungen. Perfekt für Anfänger, um Sätze fließend zu bilden.
Learn key rules for separable verbs: prefixes, verb positioning in sentences, conjugation patterns, common verbs, and exceptions. Includes example sentences and practice. Ideal for beginners to use separable verbs confidently in everyday speech.
-:- / -:-
Separable verbs in German consist of a prefix that detaches and moves to the end of the clause in main clauses, changing the meaning of the base verb. This guide explains how to recognize, use, and practice them.
Formation
A separable verb is made of a prefix (called a Trennbare Vorsilbe) and a base verb; common prefixes include an-, auf-, aus-, ein-, and mit-.
Examples
Usage in Main Clauses
In a main clause, the prefix detaches and moves to the end of the sentence, so the verb splits into two parts with the base verb in second position and the prefix last.
Usage in Subordinate Clauses
In subordinate clauses, the verb reassembles and moves to the final position, so the prefix stays attached to the base verb.
Ich weiß, dass ich(anrufen - call) morgen jemanden .
I know that I will call someone tomorrow.
In subordinate clauses, the verb reassembles as ___ (call) and moves to the final position.
Usage in Infinitive and Other Forms
When the verb appears as an infinitive, past participle, or in certain constructions like modal verbs, the prefix remains attached; the past participle typically places ge- between the prefix and the base.
Examples
Meaning
The prefix of a separable verb often changes the meaning in a predictable way, such as direction, completion, or intensity, so learning common prefixes helps guess the sense of new verbs.
Common Separable Prefixes
Here are some frequent separable prefixes with sample verbs to illustrate typical meanings like an- (at/on), auf- (up/open), aus- (out), ein- (in), and mit- (with/join).
Ich(mitkommen - come along) heute Abend zum Konzert .
I will come along to the concert tonight.
Choose the prefix for 'come along' in mitkommen.
Summary
Separable verbs split in main clauses with the prefix moving to the end, stay together in subordinate clauses, and keep the prefix attached in non-finite forms; learning common prefixes and practicing sentences helps internalize the patterns.
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