Separable verbs in German, or trennbare Verben, are verbs that split into two parts when you use them: a base verb that carries the grammar and a prefix that changes the meaning and jumps to the end of the clause. They look tricky at first, but they follow a small set of reliable rules. This guide explains how they work, shows which prefixes are separable and which are not, gives you a prefix-sorted list of the most useful ones, and covers how they behave in the past tense. To hear them in natural speech, a German course in Germany with SPRACHCAFFE puts them straight into context.
Separable German Verbs: List & Meanings
What separable verbs are
A separable verb is made of two elements: the base verb (the stem, which is conjugated as normal) and a separable prefix that shifts the meaning. When you conjugate the verb in a main clause, the prefix detaches and moves to the very end.
Take anfangen (to begin): in "Morgen fange ich meinen neuen Job an" (I start my new job tomorrow), the stem fange sits in second position and the prefix an lands at the end.
The prefix and stem still belong to the same verb; they simply sit apart in the sentence.
Separable vs inseparable prefixes
This is the part most guides get wrong. Not every prefixed verb separates. German prefixes fall into three groups, and the key signal is stress: separable prefixes are stressed, inseparable prefixes are not. The base verb itself is never the "inseparable" part; whether a verb separates depends entirely on its prefix.
| Group | Prefixes | Behaviour |
|---|---|---|
| Always separable | ab, an, auf, aus, ein, mit, nach, vor, zu, zurück, weg, weiter, fern, los, her, hin | Stressed; the prefix detaches and moves to the end of the clause. |
| Always inseparable | be, emp, ent, er, ge, miss, ver, zer | Unstressed; the prefix stays fixed to the stem and never moves. |
| Either (depends on meaning) | durch, über, um, unter, wieder | Separable when stressed and literal; inseparable when unstressed and figurative. |
So anfangen (an, stressed) separates, while verstehen (ver, unstressed) never does: "Ich verstehe das" keeps ver attached.
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How to use separable verbs
Three sentence types cover almost everything, and the prefix goes to the end in each of the first cases.
In a statement, the stem takes second position and the prefix goes last: Ich rufe Vera an (I call Vera).
In a yes-or-no question, the stem comes first, right before the subject, and the prefix still ends the clause: Siehst du oft fern? (Do you watch television often?). Note that German questions take no opening question mark.
In the imperative, the stem leads and the prefix closes: Ruf Vera an! (Call Vera!).
Common separable verbs by prefix
The prefixes of separable verbs in German are different, because each one indicates a specific meaning and modifies the verb, adding a distinct nuance.
Knowing them all by heart isn't strictly necessary, but since many of these verbs are very common, we recommend that you learn them little by little.
The most effective way to memorize the entire list of separable verbs in German is to divide them into groups, starting with the type of prefix they have:
| Prefix (meaning) | Verb | English |
| an (onset) | anfangen | to begin |
| an | ankommen | to arrive |
| an | anrufen | to call (on the phone) |
| an | ansehen | to look at, to watch |
| an | anziehen (sich) | to get dressed |
| an | anmelden | to register |
| auf (up, open) | aufstehen | to get up |
| auf | aufhören | to stop |
| auf | aufmachen | to open |
| auf | aufräumen | to tidy up |
| auf | aufgeben | to give up |
| auf | aufhaben | to have on; to have homework set |
| aus (out) | aussehen | to look, to appear |
| aus | ausgehen | to go out |
| aus | ausgeben | to spend |
| aus | auswählen | to choose |
| ein (in) | einladen | to invite |
| ein | einschlafen | to fall asleep |
| ein | einsteigen | to get in, to board |
| ein | einräumen | to put away; to concede |
| ein | einkaufen | to shop |
Separable Verbs with other Prefixes
In addition to the most common prefixes mentioned, there are other separable verbal prefixes in German:
| fern (far) | fernsehen | to watch television |
| vor (in front, before) | vorhaben | to plan, to intend |
| vor | vorlesen | to read aloud |
| zu (to) | zuhören | to listen |
| zu | zumachen | to close |
| zurück (back, return) | zurückkommen | to come back |
| zurück | zurückfahren | to drive back, to return |
Separable verbs in the past
Separable verbs stay separable in the past, and the past forms are very regular in shape. In the Perfekt, the ge of the past participle slots between the prefix and the stem: anfangen becomes angefangen and aufstehen becomes aufgestanden, as in "Ich habe früh angefangen" and "Ich bin früh aufgestanden".
In the Präteritum, the prefix still detaches just as it does in the present: "Ich stand früh auf" and "Ich fing den neuen Job an".
Summary
Separable verbs in German split into a base verb and a prefix, and in a main clause the prefix moves to the end: Ich rufe Vera an. Whether a verb separates depends on its prefix, not the stem: ab, an, auf, aus, ein, mit, vor, zu and zurück always separate, while be, ent, er, ge, ver and zer never do. In the Perfekt the ge sits inside the participle (angekommen), and in the Präteritum the prefix still detaches. Learn the prefixes by group, practise them in full sentences, and use them with native speakers on a German course in Germany with SPRACHCAFFE.
FAQ
A separable verb, or trennbares Verb, splits into two parts in use: a conjugated base verb and a prefix that carries much of the meaning and moves to the end of the clause, as in "Ich stehe früh auf".
It depends on the prefix. Prefixes such as an-, auf-, aus-, ein-, mit- and zu- are separable and stressed, while be-, ge-, er-, ver-, zer- and ent- are inseparable and unstressed.
In a main clause in the present or simple past, the prefix moves to the very end: "Ich rufe dich an". In subordinate clauses the verb rejoins the prefix at the end.
The "ge" sits between the prefix and the stem, as in "aufgestanden" from aufstehen or "angerufen" from anrufen, keeping the whole verb as one word.
They come up constantly in everyday German, which a course in Germany puts you right inside.
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