---
title: "Separable and Inseparable Prefixes — German grammar C1"
description: "C1 German exercises on separable and inseparable prefixes, ge-/zu placement, and word formation."
canonical: "https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-separable-inseparable-prefix-meanings-and-word-formation"
lang: "en"
learning_language: "de"
cefr_level: "C1"
updated: "2026-07-11"
alternates:
  en: "https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-separable-inseparable-prefix-meanings-and-word-formation.md"
  fr: "https://cefra.app/fr/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-separable-inseparable-prefix-meanings-and-word-formation.md"
  pl: "https://cefra.app/pl/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-separable-inseparable-prefix-meanings-and-word-formation.md"
  ru: "https://cefra.app/ru/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-separable-inseparable-prefix-meanings-and-word-formation.md"
---

# Separable and Inseparable Prefixes

[Cefra](https://cefra.app/en.md) › [German](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de.md) › [Grammar](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar.md) › [C1](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/c1.md) › Separable and Inseparable Prefixes

Master word order, ge-/zu placement, and semantic functions of German verb prefixes.

Last updated: July 11, 2026

## Form and stress

Separable prefixes can often stand alone and are stressed. They separate in main clauses and imperatives, but remain attached with modals, future, Konjunktiv II, and subordinate clauses. **ge** and **zu** go between prefix and stem.

**be-, ge-, emp-, ent-, er-, ver-, zer-** are always inseparable and take no ge-. **miss-** is inseparable despite possible stress.

## Meaning

ab end/away; an start/contact; aus out; ein in/adjust; be transitivizes; ent removal; er goal/completion or make; miss wrong/not; ver wrong/completion/death/away/change; zer pieces/destruction.

## Example map

- **Präsens, trennbar:** _Der Zug fährt um acht ab._
- **Imperativ:** _Ruf mich bitte an!_
- **Modalverb, zusammen:** _Der Zug muss um acht abfahren._
- **Nebensatz, zusammen:** _..., weil der Zug um acht abfährt._
- **Partizip II:** _Sie hat die Tür aufgemacht._
- **Infinitiv mit zu:** _Er versucht, die Tür aufzumachen._
- **Untrennbar:** _Sie besucht ihre Tante. – Sie hat ihre Tante besucht._
- **Minimalpaar Stress/Bedeutung:** _Er übersetzt den Text._ (übertragen) – _Das Boot setzt über._ (ans andere Ufer fahren)
- **ent- Entfernung:** _Wir entkalken die Maschine._
- **er- Ziel:** _Sie erreicht das Ziel._
- **ver- Veränderung:** _Die Blätter verfärben sich._
- **zer- Zerstörung:** _Das Glas zerbricht._

## Exercises

[Start practice](https://cefra.app/en/explore/de/grammar/c1/german-separable-inseparable-prefix-meanings-and-word-formation/practice)

1. Sort verbs by separability and semantic function. (1 task)
2. Rewrite, respecting separation or attachment. (10 tasks)