Participle Of Separable Verbs

Level 2

To form the past participle of a separable verb, use the formula: [Prefix] + ge + [Verb Stem] + [Ending]. For example, aufstehen becomes aufgestanden.

How It Works

When using the Perfekt or Perfekt with sein, you need the past participle (Partizip II). For separable verbs, follow these rules:

1. The 'ge' Sandwich: The 'ge-' is placed between the separable prefix and the base verb.
Example: einkaufen → ein-ge-kauft.

2. Ending Rules: The ending (-t or -en) depends on whether the base verb is weak or strong.

  • Weak verbs take -t: mitmachen → mitge-mach-t.
  • Strong verbs take -en and often change their stem: anrufen → ange-ruf-en; aufstehen → aufge-stand-en.

3. The '-ieren' Exception: If the base verb ends in -ieren, it does not take 'ge-'. This remains true even if a separable prefix is added.
Example: ausprobieren → ausprobiert (NOT ausgeprobiert).

4. Inseparable Bases: If a separable prefix is added to an inseparable verb, 'ge-' is omitted.
Example: ausverkaufen → ausverkauft.

Examples (5)

  1. Ich habe gestern im Supermarkt eingekauft.

    I went shopping at the supermarket yesterday.

    Word by Word: I have yesterday in the supermarket in-ge-bought.

    'Einkaufen' is a weak separable verb. The 'ge' is placed between 'ein' and 'kaufen', ending in '-t'.

  2. Bist du heute Morgen schon früh aufgestanden?

    Did you get up early this morning?

    Word by Word: Are you today morning already early up-ge-stood?

    'Aufstehen' is a strong separable verb. It uses 'sein' and the participle ends in '-en' with a stem change (steh -> stand).

  3. Wir haben das neue Restaurant bereits ausprobiert.

    We have already tried out the new restaurant.

    Word by Word: We have the new restaurant already out-tried.

    Because 'probieren' ends in '-ieren', it does not take 'ge', even with the prefix 'aus'.

  4. Er hat mich gestern Abend angerufen.

    He called me yesterday evening.

    Word by Word: He has me yesterday evening at-ge-called.

    'Anrufen' is a strong verb. The 'ge' sits between the prefix 'an' and the verb 'rufen'.

  5. Das Konzert war leider schon ausverkauft.

    The concert was unfortunately already sold out.

    Word by Word: The concert was unfortunately already out-sold.

    'Ausverkaufen' consists of a separable prefix 'aus' and an inseparable verb 'verkaufen'. Since 'verkaufen' never takes 'ge', the whole word omits it.

Common Mistakes

  • Placing 'ge' at the very beginning of the word.

    Ich habe geaufsteht.
    Ich bin aufgestanden.

    For separable verbs, 'ge' must go between the prefix and the stem, not at the start. Also, remember that 'aufstehen' is a strong verb and uses 'sein'.

  • Keeping the prefix separate in the past tense.

    Ich habe gestanden auf.
    Ich bin aufgestanden.

    While the prefix is separate in the present tense (Ich stehe auf), it must be attached to the participle in the Perfekt tense.

  • Adding 'ge' to verbs ending in -ieren.

    Wir haben es ausgeprobiert.
    Wir haben es ausprobiert.

    Verbs ending in -ieren never take 'ge' in the participle, even if they have a separable prefix.

How It Connects

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

Participle Of Separable VerbsLevel 2

Learn This First

To form the participle of a separable verb, you must first understand how standard weak and strong participles are formed. The separable prefix participle is a variation where the 'ge-' prefix is inserted between the existing prefix and the verb stem.

Words in This Pattern

ge-