Separable Verbs in German: List and Translation
What are Separable Verbs in German?
Naming separable verbs in German can be daunting, especially for those approaching the language for the first time. But if we said compound verbs, it would sound simpler, right? Well, we must start from that premise: separable verbs in German are a type of compound verb made up of two elements:
- The base verb , also known as the inseparable verb, since it is a single word that cannot be broken down;
- The particle that modifies the meaning of the initial verb and that is separated from the verb itself when it is conjugated.
* Remember that, if the verb is reflexive, the reflexive pronoun is also part of its composition as an extra particle.
Let's look at some examples of these verbs: Morgen fange ich meinen neuen Job an (tomorrow I start my new job).
In this sentence, "anfangen" (to begin) is conjugated in the present indicative (ich fange) and the separable prefix "an" has been moved to the end of the sentence.
So, how are separable verbs used in German? Let's look at the rule:
- As for the affirmative form , we put the main verb in second position and the prefix at the end of the sentence : -Ich rufe Vera an. → I call Vera.
- In interrogative sentences , the prefix always remains at the end of the sentence , while the verb is placed at the beginning , immediately after the subject. This is also the case with classic verbs: -¿Siehst du oft fern? → Do you watch television often?
- Finally, regarding the imperative form, the verb is always placed at the beginning, while the prefix is placed at the end : Ruf Vera an! → Call Vera!
Difference between Separable and Inseparable Verbs
In German there are separable and inseparable verbs and the main difference between the two is how they behave in the context of sentences and tenses.
- In separable verbs, the prefix is separated from the verb when used in certain verbal constructions, such as subordinate clauses, the present infinitive, the present participle, and the imperative. When the verb is conjugated in the present, past, or future tense, the prefix is separated from the verb and moved to the end of the sentence .
For example: infinitive "anrufen" (to call) → present indicative "ich rufe an" (I call), where "an" is the separable prefix that goes to the end of the sentence. - In inseparable verbs, the prefix remains attached to the verb in all verb forms and is not separated from it. These verbs retain the prefix even when conjugated in the present, past, or future tenses (for example: infinitive "bezahlen" (to pay) → present indicative "ich bezahle" - I pay), without separating the prefix.
In summary, the main difference is that separable verbs have a prefix that separates them from the verb in some situations, while inseparable verbs keep the prefix attached to the verb in all verb forms.
German Separable Verbs: List, Prefixes and Translation
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:
Separable Verbs in AN-
One of the most widespread particles is AN-, which means "to start, to begin, to initiate".
The verbs that contain the particle 'AN'- are:
- Anfangen = to begin
- Ankommen = to arrive (from kommen, to come)
- Anhaben = to wear, to have on (from haben, to have)
- Anmachen = to light (from machen, to make)
- Ansehen = to look
- Anrufen = to call on the phone (from rufen, to call)
- Anpassen = adapt
- Anbieten = offer
- Anwenden = to apply
- Anbrennen = to burn, to get burned
- sich anziehen = to get dressed
- Anvertrauen = to trust
- Anzuwenden = to turn on
- Anprobieren = to try on
- Anmelden = to register
Separable Verbs in AUF-
Let's now look at verbs with the particle AUF-, whose meaning is "up, upwards":
The verbs in 'AUF' are:
- Aufstehen = to stand up (from stehen, to stand up)
- Aufhören = to stop, to end
- Aufmachen = to open
- Aufnehmen = to accept
- Aufpassen = to pay attention, to observe
- Aufklären = clarify, explain
- Aufbauen = to build, to assemble
- aufräumen = tidy, clean
- Aufgeben = to surrender
- Aufladen = to load
- Aufhaben = to have to do (haben, to do)
Separable Verbs in AUS-
Then there are the separable verbs in German with the particle 'AUS-' , meaning "outside":
- Aussehen = seem (from sehen, see)
- Ausruhen = to rest
- Ausgehen = leave (from gehen, go)
- Ausräumen = to clean, to empty
- Ausgeben = to spend
- Ausbleiben = to stay out
- Auswählen = choose
Separable verbs in EIN-
We continue with verbs that have the prefix ' EIN-' , which we can translate in the opposite way to the previous one: "inside, towards the inside".
- Einladen = to invite (from laden, to load)
- Einschlafen = to fall asleep
- Einsteigen = to go up (inside)
- Einteilen = divide (from teilen, divide)
- Einräumen = to save
- Einführen = present/implement
- Einnehmen = to take (food, medicine) or to earn (money)
- 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 intend to do it), vorlesen (to read aloud)
- WEITER (continue): weitergehen (continue)
- ZU (closed, downwards): zubereiten (to prepare, to cook), zuhoren (to listen), zumachen (to close)
- ZURUCK : (return, return): zuruckfahren (return), zuruckkommen (return)
German Separable Verbs: Examples of Use
To learn these verbs, we recommend practicing them in context, along with a sentence that will help you memorize their meaning and, above all, their behavior as separable verbs (where the particle goes, etc.). Below are some other separable verbs commonly used in German:
- Ankommen : Ich komme morgen en Berlin an. → Arrive: I will arrive in Berlin tomorrow.
- Aufstehen : Am Montag stehe ich früh auf. → Get up: I get up early on Monday.
- Aussehen : Sie sieht heute sehr schön aus. → Verse: Today she looks very beautiful.
- Einschlafen : Gestern bin ich früh eingeschlafen. → Fall asleep: Yesterday I went to sleep early.
- Einkaufen : Am Samstag kaufe ich im Supermarkt ein. → Go shopping: On Saturday I go shopping at the supermarket.
- Mitkommen : Möchtest du mitkommen? → Come with: Do you want to come with me?
- Vorstellen : Ich möchte dir meinen Bruder vorstellen. → Introduce: I would like to introduce you to my brother.
- Mitmachen : Machst du beim Wettbewerb mit? → Participate: Do you participate in the contest?
- Umbauen : Wir möchten unser Haus umbauen. → Renew: We want to renovate our house.
- Einladen : Hast du Lust, morgen zum Essen einzuladen? → Invite: Do you want to invite someone to dinner tomorrow?
- Aussteigen : Er ist am Bahnhof ausgestiegen. → Bajarse: Se bajarse en la estación.
- Zurückkommen : Wann kommst du aus dem Urlaub zurück? → Return: When will you return from vacation?
- Umsteigen : In Munich we have to change trains. → Change: In Munich we have to change trains.
- Abholen : Can you pick me up at the station? → Recoger: Can you pick me up at the station?
Learn and Practice Verbs in Context
In conclusion, separable verbs in German, while they may seem intimidating at first, are an essential and dynamic part of learning the language. By understanding their structure and function, you will not only enrich your vocabulary but also improve your ability to express yourself more precisely and with nuance. These verbs, with their prefixes that alter the meaning of the base verb, offer a window into the flexibility and richness of German.
A very useful exercise you can do to further train your ability to recognize and conjugate separable verbs in German is to create your own examples. Take the separable verb you're interested in, invent a sentence built around it, and then check that you've treated it correctly, following the conjugation rules. This way, you help your memory in many different ways: first by forcing yourself to create a sentence, then by writing it down, then by revising it, and finally by rereading it. You'll see that, in this way, learning separable and inseparable verbs in German will be very easy!
