Separable and Inseparable Verb Prefixes
Learning German verbs can be challenging, especially when encountering the concepts of trennbare (separable) and nicht trennbare (inseparable) verbs. These verb types are defined by the prefixes they use and how those prefixes interact with sentence structure.
1. Separable Verbs (Trennbare Verben)
Definition: Separable verbs consist of a prefix and a core verb, where the prefix detaches and moves to the end of the clause in the present and simple past tenses.
Common separable prefixes:
ab-, an-, auf-, aus-, ein-, mit-, nach-, vor-, weg-, zu-, zurück-
Example:
Infinitive: aufstehen (to get up)
Present tense: Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. (I get up at 7 o'clock.)
Past tense: Ich stand früh auf. (I got up early.)
In compound tenses (like Perfekt), the prefix reattaches:
Ich bin um 7 Uhr aufgestanden. (I got up at 7 o'clock.)
These verbs often indicate direction, completion or emphasis.
Prefix | Meaning (in context) | Example |
|---|---|---|
ab- | off, away | abfahren – to depart |
an- | on, at, begin | anfangen – to begin |
auf- | up, open | aufstehen – to get up |
aus- | out, off, emerge | ausgehen – to go out |
ein- | in, into | eingehen – to enter (figuratively or literally) |
mit- | with, along | mitkommen – to come along |
nach- | after, follow | nachdenken – to reflect |
vor- | ahead, forward | vorstellen – to introduce / imagine |
weg- | away | weggehen – to go away |
zu- | to, closed | zumachen – to close |
zurück- | back | zurückgeben – to give back |
weiter- | further, continue | weiterlernen – to continue learning |
los- | off, start | losfahren – to set off |
2. Inseparable Verbs (Nicht Trennbare Verben)
Definition: Inseparable verbs also have prefixes, but these never separate from the verb, regardless of the tense or sentence structure.
Common inseparable prefixes:
be-, emp-, ent-, er-, ge-, miss-, ver-, zer-
Example:
Infinitive: verstehen (to understand)
Present tense: Ich verstehe dich. (I understand you.)
Past tense: Ich verstand ihn sofort. (I understood him immediately.)
Perfect: Ich habe ihn verstanden. (I have understood him.)
The prefix stays attached at all times and typically changes the meaning of the verb more abstractly (e.g., gehen → vergehen).
Prefix | Meaning (in context) | Example |
|---|---|---|
be- | makes verb transitive | bekommen – to receive |
emp- | sense, feel | empfinden – to feel/perceive |
ent- | away, off, reverse | entfernen – to remove |
er- | result, achieve, often successful action | erreichen – to achieve |
ge- | completed action (archaic in modern verbs) | gehören – to belong |
miss- | wrong, failed | missverstehen – to misunderstand |
ver- | away, lose, change negatively | vergessen – to forget |
zer- | into pieces, destructively | zerreißen – to tear apart |
3. Mixed/Double-Meaning Verbs
Some prefixes can be used as both separable and inseparable, depending on meaning. See most common examples in the table.
Common Mixed/Double-Meaning Verbs
Verb | Separable Meaning | Inseparable Meaning |
|---|---|---|
umfahren | Ich fahre den Baum um → to knock over | Ich umfahre den Baum → to drive around |
übersetzen | Ich setze ihn über den Fluss über → to ferry across | Ich übersetze den Text → to translate |
überziehen | Ich ziehe das Bett neu über → to put something over | Ich überziehe mein Konto → to overdraw |
unterstellen | Ich stelle den Wagen in die Garage unter → to store/shelter | Ich unterstelle dir eine Lüge → to accuse/assume |
durchdringen | Der Lärm drang durch → to penetrate (physically) | Die Wahrheit durchdrang ihn → to deeply affect |
durchfahren | Ich fahre die Stadt durch → to drive through without stopping | Ein Schreck durchfährt ihn → to shudder (emotionally) |
übergehen | Ich gehe zum nächsten Thema über → to move on to | Er übergibt das Geschenk nicht → to ignore/pass over |
umreißen | Ich reiße den Zaun um → to tear down | Ich umreiße das Konzept → to outline |
Example: umfahren
Separable: Ich fahre den Baum um. → I drive around the tree.
Inseparable: Ich umfahre den Baum. → I run over the tree.
Context and pronunciation (stress) help distinguish them. In spoken German separable prefixes are stressed, while inseparable ones are not.
Tips to Remember
Memorize common prefixes and learn which category they belong to.
Pay attention to word stress: if the prefix is stressed, it’s likely separable.
Practice with examples in context to build intuitive understanding.
Quiz: Separable and Inseparable Verb Prefixes
Separable prefixes are often physical or directional, like 'an-', 'auf-', 'mit-', etc.
Inseparable prefixes include: be-, ent-, er-, ver-, zer-, etc.
In present tense, separable prefixes are placed at the end of the clause.
Think of verbs like 'vergessen' (to forget) and 'verlieren' (to lose).
Separable prefixes often express motion or direction.
Watch where the prefix ends up in the sentence.
'weg-' usually shows movement away from something.
Look for prefixes like an-, auf-, zurück-, mit-, etc.
Compare 'aufstehen' vs 'verstehen'.
'mitgehen', 'mitkommen' both use it.