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Trennbare Verben
Separable verbs are verbs that split into two parts! The prefix 'separates' and jumps to the END of the sentence. Think: 'aufstehen' (to get up) → 'Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf.' The 'auf' separates and goes to the end! These prefixes are STRESSED when you say them: AUFstehen, ANrufen, MITkommen.
WHAT ARE SEPARABLE VERBS? Many German verbs have prefixes that can separate from the verb stem.
Infinitive: aufstehen (to get up) Sentence: Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. (I get up at 7 o'clock.)
The prefix 'auf' separates and moves to the END!
COMMON SEPARABLE PREFIXES: - an- (on, at) - auf- (up, open) - aus- (out, off) - ein- (in, into) - mit- (along, with) - zu- (closed, to) - zurück- (back) - weg- (away)
PATTERN: Conjugated verb (position 2) + ... + prefix (END)
KEY RULE: The prefix is STRESSED in pronunciation: AUFstehen, ANrufen!
In simple present tense sentences, the prefix separates and goes to the END.
Examples:
The prefix 'an-' often means 'on' or 'at', indicating starting or making contact.
Examples:
The prefix 'auf-' often means 'up' or 'open'.
Examples:
Mit- (with/along), ein- (in/into), aus- (out/off) are very common prefixes.
Examples:
When you use a modal verb, the separable verb stays together at the END in infinitive form.
Examples:
🇩🇪 Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf.
🇬🇧 I get up at 7 o'clock.
💡 aufstehen → stehe...auf (prefix 'auf' at the end)
Context: Daily routine - most common separable verb!
🇩🇪 Kommst du mit?
🇬🇧 Are you coming along?
💡 mitkommen → kommst...mit (question format, prefix still at end)
Context: Invitation - very common conversational phrase
🇩🇪 Ich rufe dich später an.
🇬🇧 I'll call you later.
💡 anrufen → rufe...an (object 'dich' in middle, prefix at end)
Context: Making plans - essential communication verb
🇩🇪 Wir gehen heute Abend aus.
🇬🇧 We're going out tonight.
💡 ausgehen → gehen...aus (time phrase in middle)
Context: Social plans
🇩🇪 Der Film fängt um 8 Uhr an.
🇬🇧 The film starts at 8 o'clock.
💡 anfangen → fängt...an (vowel change: a→ä in 'er/sie/es' form)
Context: Schedules and timing
🇩🇪 Mach bitte das Fenster auf!
🇬🇧 Please open the window!
💡 aufmachen → mach...auf (imperative form, prefix still separates)
Context: Commands/requests
🇩🇪 Sie kauft im Supermarkt ein.
🇬🇧 She shops at the supermarket.
💡 einkaufen → kauft...ein (location phrase in middle)
Context: Shopping activities
🇩🇪 Ich kann nicht mitkommen.
🇬🇧 I can't come along.
💡 Modal verb + separable verb: 'mitkommen' stays together at end
Context: Declining invitation with modal verb
🇩🇪 Wann kommst du an?
🇬🇧 When do you arrive?
💡 ankommen → kommst...an (W-question, prefix at end)
Context: Travel/arrival questions
Imagine the prefix is a ping pong ball that BOUNCES to the end of the sentence! Aufstehen → Ich stehe (bounce bounce) auf!
If the prefix is STRESSED (AUFstehen, ANrufen, MITkommen), it's separable! Say them out loud - you naturally stress the prefix.
'Kommst du mit?' is THE most common separable verb question. Everyone says it! Perfect for invitations.
With modal verbs, the separable verb doesn't separate! It stays as one word at the end: 'Ich muss aufstehen' (not *Ich muss stehen auf).
Separable verbs are like Lego blocks - you can split them apart (in sentences) or keep them together (with modals, in dictionary).
Forgetting to separate the prefix
'Ich aufstehe um 7 Uhr' is WRONG. Correct: 'Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf.' The prefix MUST separate and go to the end!
Putting the prefix in the wrong position
'Ich stehe auf um 7 Uhr' is awkward. Better: 'Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf.' Time phrases usually come before the prefix.
Separating the verb with modal verbs
'Ich muss stehen auf' is wrong. Correct: 'Ich muss aufstehen.' With modals, keep the separable verb TOGETHER at the end!
Wrong stress in pronunciation
Don't say 'aufSTEHen' - say 'AUFstehen'! The PREFIX is stressed, not the verb stem.
Confusing separable vs inseparable prefixes
'verstehen' (to understand) is NOT separable - it's 'Ich verstehe' (not *Ich stehe ver). If the prefix is unstressed, it doesn't separate!
Wann stehst du normalerweise auf?
When do you normally get up?
📚 aufstehen → stehst...auf (question word order, adverb in middle)
Ich lade dich zu meiner Party ein.
I invite you to my party.
📚 einladen → lade...ein (object 'dich' and prepositional phrase before prefix)
Der Unterricht fängt um 9 Uhr an.
The class starts at 9 o'clock.
📚 anfangen → fängt...an (stem vowel change + separation)
Rufst du mich morgen an?
Will you call me tomorrow?
📚 anrufen → rufst...an (question format, pronoun + time word before prefix)
Wir müssen früh aufstehen.
We have to get up early.
📚 müssen (modal) + aufstehen (infinitive together) - no separation with modal!
Mach bitte den Fernseher aus!
Please turn off the TV!
📚 ausmachen → mach...aus (imperative + object before prefix)
Ich bringe Wein zur Party mit.
I'll bring wine to the party.
📚 mitbringen → bringe...mit (object + prepositional phrase before prefix)