Trennbare und untrennbare Verben grammar in German

Language: German
Level: B1
Unit: Verbformen und Gebrauch
Practice types: 0

What this grammar point covers

In German, there are separable and inseparable verbs. These are verbs with prefixes that sometimes split from the verb in a sentence, or always stay together.

When to use it

Use separable verbs when the prefix changes the meaning of the verb and splits in some tenses. Inseparable verbs have prefixes that never split from the verb. Both are common in daily German.

Key forms

Separable verbs: prefix + verb (e.g. aufstehen, anrufen)
Inseparable verbs: inseparable prefix + verb (e.g. besuchen, verstehen)

Examples

Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf.

English: I get up at 7 o'clock.

Er ruft seine Mutter an.

English: He calls his mother.

Wir besuchen unsere Freunde.

English: We visit our friends.

Sie versteht die Frage nicht.

English: She doesn't understand the question.

Du machst das Fenster zu.

English: You close the window.

Tips

For separable verbs, the prefix goes to the end of the sentence in the present tense.
Inseparable prefixes never split from the verb.
Pay attention to the prefix: some look similar but behave differently (e.g. 'überfahren' vs. 'umfahren').

Exceptions and edge cases

Some verbs can be both separable and inseparable, with different meanings (e.g. 'übersetzen' can mean 'to translate' (inseparable) or 'to ferry across' (separable)).