Separable Verbs

Verbs that split in two

Many everyday German verbs are built from two parts: a short prefix and a base verb. For example, aufstehen (to get up) is made of the prefix auf and the verb stehen. Other common examples are anrufen (to call, an + rufen) and einkaufen (to shop, ein + kaufen).

These are called separable verbs, because in most sentences the two parts actually separate. The base verb behaves like a normal verb, and the prefix moves away to a different position. This looks strange at first, but the pattern is completely regular, and you already know everything else you need: the present tense endings and the rule that the verb stands in second position.

A useful clue when you listen: in a separable verb, the stress is always on the prefix. You say AUFstehen and ANrufen, with the first syllable loud and clear.

• Ich stehe um sieben Uhr auf.

  I get up at seven o'clock.

  aufstehen: stehe ... auf

• Wir kaufen am Samstag ein.

  We do the shopping on Saturday.

  einkaufen: kaufen ... ein

• Sie ruft ihre Mutter an.

  She calls her mother.

  anrufen: ruft ... an

The prefix goes to the very end

In a normal main clause, the conjugated part of a separable verb takes the usual second position, and the prefix jumps to the very end of the sentence. Everything else, such as time expressions and objects, sits between the two parts. Think of the verb as a bracket that opens in second position and closes with the prefix at the end.

The same rule applies in yes/no questions and W-questions: the conjugated verb moves to the front or stays in second position as usual, and the prefix still goes to the end. Nothing may come after the prefix.

This end position is not optional. A sentence like "Ich stehe auf um sieben Uhr" sounds wrong to German ears; the prefix must close the sentence.

• Der Zug kommt um neun Uhr an.

  The train arrives at nine o'clock.

• Ich rufe dich heute Abend an.

  I will call you this evening.

• Machst du bitte das Fenster zu?

  Will you please close the window?

  yes/no question: verb first, prefix last

• Wann fährt der Bus ab?

  When does the bus leave?

  W-question: verb second, prefix last

Separable verbs with modal verbs

You already know the modal verbs können, müssen, wollen and möchten. With a modal verb, the modal takes the second position and the other verb goes to the end as an infinitive. For a separable verb, this means the two parts stay together: the whole infinitive, prefix included, stands at the end as one word.

So the rule is simple. Without a modal, the verb splits and the prefix goes to the end. With a modal, the separable verb does not split at all; it just waits at the end in one piece.

• Ich muss morgen früh aufstehen.

  I have to get up early tomorrow.

  aufstehen stays together after muss

• Kannst du mich am Montag anrufen?

  Can you call me on Monday?

• Wir wollen heute nicht fernsehen.

  We do not want to watch TV today.

Separable verbs you need at A1

A small set of separable verbs covers most everyday situations. Learn these as full phrases with their prefixes: aufstehen (to get up), anrufen (to call), einkaufen (to shop), ankommen (to arrive), abfahren (to depart), mitkommen (to come along), fernsehen (to watch TV), aufmachen (to open), zumachen (to close) and anfangen (to begin).

When you learn a new verb, check where the stress is. If the prefix carries the stress, the verb is separable. It also helps to memorise one short model sentence per verb, so the split pattern comes automatically.

Not every prefix separates. Verbs starting with be-, ver- or er-, such as bezahlen (to pay) and verstehen (to understand), keep their prefix attached in every sentence: Ich bezahle das Essen. Ich verstehe die Frage nicht. You can hear the difference: these prefixes are never stressed. So the stress test works in both directions: stressed prefix means separable, unstressed prefix means the verb stays in one piece.

• Abends sehe ich eine Stunde fern.

  In the evening I watch TV for an hour.

• Kommst du mit?

  Are you coming along?

• Der Kurs fängt um acht Uhr an.

  The course begins at eight o'clock.

• Ich mache die Tür auf.

  I open the door.