Learn to distinguish separable, inseparable, and meaning-dependent German verb prefixes. Practise the sentence bracket in present-tense statements and questions.
Explanation
Verbs with prefixes
Many German verbs consist of a **prefix** and a base verb: **an**rufen, **be**zahlen, **um**fahren. The prefix often determines whether the present-tense verb splits.
1. Separable verbs
Separable prefixes are often independent prepositions or adverbs and are stressed. Common ones include **ab-, an-, auf-, aus-, ein-, mit-, nach-, vor-, weg-, weiter-, zu-, zurück-**.
- **abholen**: Ich hole meine Schwester **ab**. (I pick up my sister.)
- **mitbringen**: Bringst du einen Salat **mit**? (Are you bringing a salad?)
- **zurückkommen**: Wann kommt ihr **zurück**? (When are you coming back?)
In a statement and a wh-question, the conjugated verb is in position 2 and the prefix goes to the end:
| Position 1 | Position 2 | Middle field | Sentence end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lea | ruft | ihren Vater | an. |
| Wann | ruft | Lea ihren Vater | an? |
In a yes/no question, the conjugated verb is in position 1:
- **Ruft** Lea ihren Vater **an**?
With a modal verb, the infinitive remains together at the end:
- Lea muss ihren Vater **anrufen**.
2. Inseparable verbs
The prefixes **be-, emp-, ent-, er-, ge-, miss-, ver-, zer-** are inseparable and normally unstressed.
- **bezahlen**: Wir bezahlen die Rechnung.
- **erklären**: Der Lehrer erklärt die Aufgabe.
- **verkaufen**: Sie verkauft ihr Fahrrad.
The prefix remains attached to the verb: *Ich beginne heute.*
3. Prefixes with two patterns
The prefixes **durch-, über-, um-, unter-, wider-, wieder-** can be separable or inseparable depending on meaning. A separable prefix is stressed; in the inseparable use, the base verb normally carries the stress.
- **umfahren** (inseparable = drive around): Wir **umfahren** die Baustelle.
- **umfahren** (separable = knock over while driving): Der Radfahrer fährt den Kegel **um**.
- **übersetzen** (inseparable = translate): Mina **übersetzt** den Brief.
- **übersetzen** (separable = take across the water): Das Boot setzt die Gäste **über**.
Learn such verbs together with their meaning and an example sentence.
Quick method
1. Check the prefix.
2. Decide which meaning is intended.
3. Conjugate the base verb.
4. If the verb is separable, put the prefix at the end.
This lesson practises classification and the present-tense sentence bracket. Perfect-tense forms are covered separately.