Common Separable Prefixes

Level 2

In German, many verbs have prefixes like auf-, an-, or mit-. In a standard sentence, the prefix 'splits' from the verb and jumps to the very end.

How It Works

Separable prefixes (trennbare Präfixe) are a unique feature of German, similar to English phrasal verbs (like 'to turn off').

1. Sentence Structure:
In a simple main clause, the conjugated verb sits in the second position, while the prefix moves to the absolute end.
Example: Ich rufe dich an. (I am calling you.)

2. Common Prefixes & Meanings:

  • auf-: Upward or opening (aufstehen - to get up; aufmachen - to open)
  • an-: Starting or 'on' (anfangen - to begin; anmachen - to turn on)
  • aus-: Outward or 'off' (ausgehen - to go out; ausmachen - to turn off)
  • mit-: Along/with (mitkommen - to come along)
  • zu-: Closing or 'to' (zumachen - to close; zuhören - to listen to)
  • zurück-: Return (zurückgeben - to give back)

3. Past Participles:
When forming the Participle for the past tense, the -ge- marker is placed between the prefix and the base verb: aufgestanden or angerufen.

4. The 'zu' Rule:
In an Infinitive With Zu construction, the word zu is placed between the prefix and the verb: Es ist Zeit, aufzustehen. (It is time to get up.)

5. Subordinate Clauses:
Note that in subordinate clauses (starting with weil, dass, etc.), the prefix and verb stay together at the end: ...weil ich dich anrufe.

Note: Not all prefixes are separable! Common Inseparable Prefixes include be-, ver-, er-, ent-, and ge-. These never split from the verb (e.g., verstehen stays Ich verstehe).

Examples (5)

  1. Wann fängt der Film an?

    When does the movie start?

    Word by Word: When starts the movie at?

    The verb is 'anfangen'. The prefix 'an-' moves to the end of the question.

  2. Ich komme gerne mit.

    I'd love to come along.

    Word by Word: I come gladly with.

    The verb is 'mitkommen'. The prefix 'mit-' goes to the end of the sentence.

  3. Er macht das Fenster zu.

    He is closing the window.

    Word by Word: He makes the window to.

    The verb is 'zumachen'. Even with an object (das Fenster), the prefix stays at the very end.

  4. Wir rufen unsere Eltern an.

    We are calling our parents.

    Word by Word: We call our parents at.

    The verb is 'anrufen'. The prefix 'an-' marks the end of the main clause.

  5. Ich stehe jeden Tag um sechs Uhr auf.

    I get up every day at six o'clock.

    Word by Word: I stand every day at six clock up.

    The verb is 'aufstehen'. No matter how long the sentence is, the prefix 'auf' remains at the end.

Common Mistakes

  • Keeping the prefix attached to the verb in a main clause.

    Ich anrufe dich morgen.
    Ich rufe dich morgen an.

    In main clauses, the prefix must separate and move to the end of the sentence.

  • Placing the 'ge-' prefix at the very beginning of the past participle.

    Ich habe geaufgestanden.
    Ich bin aufgestanden.

    For separable verbs, the '-ge-' goes between the prefix and the base verb.

  • Stressing the verb root instead of the prefix.

    an-FANG-en
    AN-fang-en

    Separable prefixes always carry the main stress. If the stress is on the root, it is likely an inseparable verb.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

Common Separable PrefixesLevel 2

Learn This First

To learn common separable prefixes, you first need to be comfortable conjugating regular verbs in the present tense. You must also understand basic German word order and the V2 (verb-second) rule, as the prefix detaches from the conjugated verb and moves to the very end of the clause.

Words in This Pattern

ab-an-auf-aus-ein-mit-vor-zu-