Separable Prefixes un- / u- and an- / a-
Separable Prefixes Un- and an-
The prefixes un- and an- follow the n-rule: ukucken (to look at, to watch), ufänken (to begin), akafen (to shop), but undoen (to put on).
How It Works
Written with u- or a-
Before b, f, g, j, k, l, m, p, r, s, v, w and similar consonants:
- ukucken, ufänken, uruffen (to call up), umaachen (to switch on)
- akafen, aschlofen (to fall asleep)
Written with un- or an-
Before a vowel and before d, h, n, t and z:
- undoen (to put on), unhalen (to stop), unhuelen (to accept)
- anhalen (to keep to, to hold)
When the prefix separates
The split-off prefix is spelled un or an, and it normally closes the clause, where the n is always written before punctuation: De Cours fänkt um néng Auer un. The n-rule still applies to it like any other word, so if a word with a consonant follows, the n drops: Et fänkt u mat reenen.
Participles and ze
The rule looks at the next letter every time the word is built:
- Before ge-, the n drops: ugekuckt, ugefaangen, ugedoen – see separable participles
- Before ze, the n comes back, because z keeps it: unzefänken, unzekucken – see separable verbs with ze
Not the same as on- and in-
The prefixes on- (as in onméiglech) and in- always keep their n. Only un- and an- follow the n-rule.
Examples (6)
- Mir kucken e Film un.
We are watching a film.
Word by Word: We look a film on.
The separated prefix un stands before the full stop, so its n is written.
- De Cours fänkt um néng Auer un.
The class starts at nine o'clock.
Word by Word: The course catches at nine o'clock on.
Ufänken splits into fänkt ... un.
- Ech muss nach akafen.
I still have to go shopping.
Word by Word: I must still in-buy.
Before the k of kafen, an- is written a-.
- Do däi Mantel un, et ass kal!
Put your coat on, it's cold!
Word by Word: Do your coat on, it is cold!
Undoen keeps its n before d. In the command, un goes to the end.
- Ruff mech muer un!
Call me tomorrow!
Word by Word: Call me tomorrow on!
Uruffen is written with u- because r follows, but the separated prefix is un.
- Hues du de Film scho gekuckt? – Nee, ech hunn en nach net ugekuckt.
Have you already seen the film? – No, I haven't watched it yet.
Word by Word: Have you the film already watched? – No, I have it yet not on-watched.
Before ge-, the prefix is written u-: ugekuckt.
Common Mistakes
Keeping the n of un- before a consonant inside the word.
Ech wëll de Film unkucken.Ech wëll de Film ukucken.Inside the word, the n of un- drops before k, just as den becomes de before most consonants.
Dropping the n of the separated prefix before a full stop.
Mir kucken e Film u.Mir kucken e Film un.The n is always written before punctuation, so the separated prefix at the end of the clause is un.
Dropping the n before ze.
Ech hu Loscht, de Film uzekucken.Ech hu Loscht, de Film unzekucken.In unzekucken the n comes before z, and the n-rule keeps it before z.
How It Connects
Learn This First
Before Separable Prefixes Un- and An-, learn Separable Verbs and The N-Rule With Verbs and Pronouns.
Related Patterns
- The N-Rule (Eifeler Regel)
The spelling of un- and an- follows the general n-rule.
Level 1 - Participles of Separable Verbs
Before ge-, the prefix is written u- or a-: ugekuckt, ageschlof.
Level 2 - ze Inside Separable Verbs
Before ze, the n returns: unzefänken.
Level 3 - The N Stays Before Punctuation
A separated un or an before a full stop always keeps its n.
Level 3
Learn Next
Patterns that build on this one.
Words in This Pattern
Practice Separable Prefixes un- / u- and an- / a- in Bubblegum
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