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Understanding the role of separable verbs in German (trennbare Verben) is essential to nail German sentence structure and German grammar. This verb’s behavior affects word order, tense conjugation, and the overall construction of a sentence. Read on to find helpful tips on when to separate a separable German verb and when not to, along with practical examples you can use in everyday communication.

What are separable verbs in German?

Separable German verbs refer to verbs with separable Präfixe (prefixes). A prefix and a core verb work together to create a specific meaning. These verbs are unique in that their prefix can detach from the core verb in certain sentence structures, such as declarative sentences and questions. In these cases, the detached prefix will typically move to the end of the given sentence, while the core verb remains in its standard position within the sentence.

Here are a few examples to get started:

• (abfahren) Der Zug fährt pünktlich um acht Uhr ab. = The train departs punctually at eight o’clock.
• (vorbereiten) Sie bereitet das Abendessen für die Familie vor. = She prepares dinner for the family.
• (anrufen) Er ruft seine Eltern jedes Wochenende an. = He calls his parents every weekend.
• (einladen) Wir laden unsere Freunde zur Party ein. = We invite our friends to the party

The prefixes of separable verbs are often prepositions or adverbs, adding direction or nuance to the core verb. Identifying the common prefixes of separable German verbs will make it easy to learn German and spot the separable verbs themselves. A close comparison to German separable verbs in English is phrasal verbs, which are idiomatic expressions that combine verbs with prepositions, adverbs, or both to create a new meaning such as “go away” or “come across.”

Common German separable verbs by prefix

You can refer to the chart below which outlines a list of common separable prefixes of verbs in German along with their general meaning and a few examples.

50 separable verbs in German

This chart of 50 separable verbs in German will help build your vocabulary of common German verbs. Be sure to weiterlesen (read on) to find out how to use them in sentences!

How to use separable prefix verbs in German

Using separable prefix verbs in German relies largely on the context of the sentence in which the separable German verb is being used. Pay special attention to which of the scenarios outlined in the following sections applies to the sentence you’re forming and whether that context separates your verb or not. 

Then all that will remain is the German conjugation of your core verb within the separable German verb. Remember that irregular German verbs will conjugate differently than standard verbs, so now might be a good time to brush up your knowledge on their differences!

When to separate the prefix from separable German verbs

When forming a sentence without any of the attributes listed in the previous sections, such as writing a declarative statement or a question with a “yes” or “no” answer, you will always split the prefix of a separable German verb from its core verb and place the prefix at the end of the sentence. The prefix will also be separated in main clauses when the verb is conjugated and appears in second position, meaning just after the subject of the sentence.

• Simple declarative sentences:
  • (aufstehen) Ich stehe früh auf. = I get up early.
  • (losfahren) Wir fahren morgen los. = We leave tomorrow.
• Yes or no questions:
  • (aufräumen) Räumt er das Zimmer auf? = Is he cleaning up the room?
  • (mitfahren) Fährst du morgen mit? = Are you riding along tomorrow?

It’s helpful to identify which of the scenarios outlined here apply to your separable German verb in order to determine whether to leave the verb whole or to detach its prefix and place this prefix at the end of the clause.

When not to separate the prefix from separable German verbs

Be on the lookout for contexts where you do not separate a verb prefix from a separable German verb! You will never have to separate a separable verb in some instances that we’ll discuss here. 

1. Subordinate clauses

When a subordinate clause is introduced by a comma followed by a subordinating conjunction, the prefix of a separable verb within this clause will not be separated from its core verb.

• Ich hoffe, dass er zurückkommt. = I hope that he is coming back
• Wir wissen, weil sie weggeht, haben wir mehr Platz. = We know that because she is leaving, we have more space.

In both of these cases, the prefixes from the separable German verbs zurückkommen (coming back) and weggeht (goes away) are not detached from their core verbs because they’re part of a subordinate clause.

Here’s a handy chart to reference for all German subordinating conjunctions:

2. Infinitive form

When a separable verb is expressed in its infinitive form—usually being combined with the preposition zu (to)—the verb will remain unsplit.

• Ich habe vergessen, aufzustehen. = I forgot to get up.
• Wir versuchen, das Problem herauszufinden. = We are trying to figure out the problem.

In these examples, the separable German verbs aufstehen (to get up from bed) and herausfinden (to figure out) are not separated as they’re in their infinitive forms with the preposition zu inserted between the prefix and the core verb.

3. Compound tenses

In the present perfect or past perfect German tenses, the prefix of a separatable verb will remain to the part participle of its core verb. The core verb itself is adjusted as it would be without its prefix to agree with the tense of the sentence, and you’ll simply add the verb prefix back to the start of the adjusted core verb.

• Er ist gestern zurückgekommen. = He came back yesterday.
• Ich hatte das Fenster aufgemacht. = I had opened the window.

In these examples, the separable German verbs aufmachen (to open up) and herausfinden (to figure out) are not separated because they’re in either the present perfect or past perfect German tenses.

4. Modal verbs

When a separable German verb is used with a modal verb, the separable verb remains in its infinitive form, which signals that the prefix of the verb should remain attached. Modal verbs are types of verbs you use to indicate such things as likelihood, ability, permission, and obligation.

There are six modal verbs in German, which are shown in the chart below:

• Wir können morgen mitfahren. = We can ride along tomorrow.
• Sie muss das Fenster aufmachen. = She has to open the window.

In these examples, the separable German verbs mitfahren (to ride with/along) and aufmachen (to open up) are not separated because they’re in a clause with a German modal verb.

The 8 inseparable prefixes of German verbs

Regardless of sentence structure or context, some verb prefixes will always remain attached to their core verb. The inseparable prefixes are: be-, ent-, emp-, er-, ge–, miß-, ver-, and zer-. Though most of these prefixes have varying meanings based on the core verb to which they’re attached, some can be assigned a generalized meaning. The prefix miß- will always relate to the English prefix “mis-,” as in mißverstehen (to misunderstand) and zer- will always mean “to pieces,” as in zerfallen (to fall to pieces).

Below are a few examples of German verbs with the inseparable prefixes described above, along with their English translation:

Frequently asked questions about separable verbs in German

Still need a little more clarity? Dive into some of the most commonly asked questions and answers about separable verbs in German.

What are separable verbs in German?

Separable verbs in German consist of a prefix and a core verb. In certain contexts, such as declarative statements and yes/no questions, this prefix is split from its core verb and placed at the end of the clause. For example, the German verb aufstehen (to get up from bed) consists of the prefix auf- (up) and the core verb stehen (to stand).

When do separable prefixes detach from the core verb?

Separable prefixes detach from main clauses in the present and simple past tenses, as well as in imperative sentences. They remain attached in subordinate clauses, infinitive forms, and compound tenses.

Are there verbs with prefixes that are inseparable?

Some verbs have prefixes which will never be split from their core verb, regardless of the tense or sentence structure. These prefixes are be-, ent-, emp-, er-, ge–, miß-, ver-, and zer-. For instance, verstehen (to understand) retains its prefix in all forms: Ich verstehe dich (I understand you).

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