A separable verb is like a special two-part Lego block: prefix + base verb. In main clauses, the conjugated verb goes to position 2, and the prefix flies to the very end, creating a 'sentence bracket' that frames all other information.
1Story in Action
Kurzer Anruf
Tim: Hallo, Tim Weber am Apparat.
Hello, Tim Weber speaking.
Mia: Hallo Tim, hier ist Mia. Ich bin gerade beschäftigt. Rufst du mich später zurück?
Hello Tim, it's Mia. I'm busy right now. Will you call me back later?
Separable Verb (in a Question)
Separable verbs have a prefix that goes to the end of the sentence. In a question, the conjugated verb stem starts the sentence, and the prefix is still at the end.
Infinitive: 'zurückrufen'. The prefix 'zurück-' goes to the end.
Tim: Klar, kein Problem. Ich rufe in einer Stunde wieder an. Sag mal, hast du morgen schon was vor?
Sure, no problem. I'll call again in an hour. Tell me, do you have plans for tomorrow yet?
Separable Verb (in a Statement)
In a simple statement, the conjugated verb stem is in the second position, and the prefix goes to the end.
Infinitive: 'anrufen'. The prefix 'an-' goes to the end.
Separable Verb
'Vorhaben' means 'to have plans' or 'to intend'. It follows the same rule: the prefix 'vor-' moves to the end of the clause.
Infinitive: 'vorhaben'.
Mia: Ja, ich fahre zum See. Dafür stehe ich extra um 7 Uhr auf.
Yes, I'm going to the lake. For that, I'm getting up specially at 7 a.m.
Separable Verb
'Aufstehen' (to get up) is a very common separable verb for daily routines.
Infinitive: 'aufstehen'. The prefix 'auf-' goes to the end.
Tim: Das klingt gut! Davor kaufe ich noch schnell für uns ein. Ich bringe auch Brötchen mit.
That sounds good! Before that, I'll quickly go shopping for us. I'll also bring rolls with me.
Separable Verb
'Einkaufen' means 'to go shopping' (for groceries, etc.). Don't confuse it with 'kaufen' (to buy a specific thing).
Infinitive: 'einkaufen'. The prefix 'ein-' goes to the end.
Separable Verb
'Mitbringen' means 'to bring with/along'. The prefix 'mit-' always goes to the end.
Infinitive: 'mitbringen'.
Mia: Oh super, danke! Ziehst du dann auch Badesachen an und kommst mit zum See?
Oh great, thanks! Will you put on swimwear too and come with me to the lake?
Separable Verb (in a Question)
'Anziehen' means 'to put on' (clothes). Here it is used in a question.
Infinitive: 'anziehen'. The prefix 'an-' goes to the end.
Tim: Gute Idee! Ich mache jetzt den Computer aus und fahre los. Bis gleich!
Good idea! I'm turning off the computer now and heading out. See you soon!
Separable Verb
'Ausmachen' (to turn off) is the opposite of 'anmachen' (to turn on).
Infinitive: 'ausmachen'. The prefix 'aus-' goes to the end.
2Why This Matters
Separable verbs are extremely common in German (anrufen, aufstehen, einkaufen). Using them correctly is essential for proper sentence structure. Think of them as two-part Lego blocks that create a 'frame' around your sentence. Mastering this concept transforms your German from choppy to fluent, natural expression.
3The Lego Block Concept - Understanding Separable Structure
Think of separable verbs as two-part Lego blocks. One part is the main verb, the other is a small prefix piece. In sentences, you place the main verb block near the beginning (position 2), and the little prefix piece goes to the very end.
Two Part Structure: Prefix + Base Verb = Separable Verb (einkaufen = ein + kaufen)
Stress Pattern: Always stress the PREFIX: AUFstehen, ANrufen, EINkaufen (this helps you recognize them)
Bracket Effect: The two parts create a 'frame' or 'bracket' around all other sentence information
Recognition Tip: If you stress the first part of a verb, it's probably separable
Memory_trick: Two-part Lego = two positions in sentence (position 2 + end)
4The Sentence Bracket (Satzklammer) - Main Clause Pattern
In main clauses, the conjugated base verb goes to position 2, and the prefix goes to the very end. This creates a 'bracket' that holds the sentence together, no matter how much information you put in between.
Position2: Conjugated verb always in position 2 (after subject or time expression)
End Position: Prefix always at the very end of the clause
Frame Function: Everything else fits inside this 'bracket' or 'frame'
Flexible Filling: You can add lots of information between the bracket parts
Memory_trick: Verb bracket = [conjugated verb] ... [information] ... [prefix]
| Example | English | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Peter macht die Tür zu. | Peter closes the door | Peter [macht] die Tür [zu] - zumachen splits around 'die Tür' |
| Die Deutschstunde fängt um 9 Uhr an. | The German lesson starts at 9 o'clock | Die Deutschstunde [fängt] um 9 Uhr [an] - anfangen brackets the time |
| Am Abend ruft sie ihre Mutter an. | In the evening, she calls her mother | Am Abend [ruft] sie ihre Mutter [an] - anrufen frames the whole action |
| Ich kaufe heute im Supermarkt ein. | I'm shopping at the supermarket today | Ich [kaufe] heute im Supermarkt [ein] - einkaufen brackets time and place |
5Staying Together - Modal Verbs
With modal verbs, the Lego block doesn't separate! The modal verb is conjugated (position 2), and the separable verb stays together as one piece at the end in infinitive form.
Modal Position: Modal verb (können, müssen, wollen, etc.) takes position 2
Infinitive End: Separable verb stays together at the end as infinitive
No Separation: The prefix and base verb are not separated - they stay as one unit
Reason: Only one verb can be conjugated per clause
Memory_trick: Modal verb = boss. Separable verb = employee who stays whole at the end
| Example | English | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Du sollst deine Oma anrufen. | You should call your grandma | sollst (modal) + anrufen (together) - no separation |
| Ich muss heute einkaufen. | I have to shop today | muss (modal) + einkaufen (together) - stays as one piece |
| Wir können um 8 Uhr aufstehen. | We can get up at 8 o'clock | können (modal) + aufstehen (together) - no split |
| Sie will ihre Freunde einladen. | She wants to invite her friends | will (modal) + einladen (together) - one unit |
6Perfect Tense - The GE- Sandwich
In perfect tense, the 'ge-' gets sandwiched between the prefix and the verb stem. The pattern is: prefix + GE + stem + ending. The result goes to the end after haben/sein.
Ge Placement: The 'ge-' goes between prefix and stem, not at the beginning
End Position: The whole past participle goes to the end after haben/sein
Pattern: prefix + ge + stem + t/en
Auxiliary Verb: Most separable verbs use 'haben' as auxiliary
Memory_trick: GE-sandwich: prefix [GE] stem + ending
| Example | English | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Er hat seinen Freund mitgebracht. | He brought his friend along. | The Partizip II inserts -ge- between the prefix and the stem: mit-ge-bracht.Prefix mit- + Verb bringen. Auxiliary is haben. |
| Ich habe meine Mutter angerufen. | I called my mother. | The Partizip II is angerufen. The prefix is incorporated into the verb form, with the accent on the prefix.Prefix an- + Verb rufen. Auxiliary is haben. |
| Wir sind um 7 Uhr aufgestanden. | We got up at 7 o'clock. | The Partizip II is aufgestanden. Note that verbs of state change still use sein.Prefix auf- + Verb stehen. Auxiliary is sein (verb of state change). |
| Sie hat im Supermarkt eingekauft. | She shopped at the supermarket. | The Partizip II is eingekauft. The prefix ein- carries the stress in the verb pronunciation.Prefix ein- + Verb kaufen. Auxiliary is haben. |
7Subordinate Clauses - Staying United
In subordinate clauses (after weil, dass, wenn, etc.), the separable verb doesn't separate! The entire conjugated verb moves to the very end of its clause and stays together as one unit.
No Separation: Prefix and verb stay together in subordinate clauses
End Position: The whole conjugated verb goes to the very end
Conjunction Trigger: Words like weil, dass, wenn, obwohl trigger this pattern
Whole Unit: The verb acts like a non-separable verb in these clauses
Memory_trick: Subordinate = united. The verb parts stick together and march to the end
| Example | English | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Ich bin müde, weil ich den ganzen Tag einkaufe. | I'm tired because I shop all day | weil ich den ganzen Tag [einkaufe] - verb stays together at end |
| Er sagt, dass er mich anruft. | He says that he'll call me | dass er mich [anruft] - separable verb united at end |
| Wenn du früh aufstehst, haben wir mehr Zeit. | If you get up early, we'll have more time | Wenn du früh [aufstehst] - verb together in when-clause |
| Ich weiß nicht, ob sie mitkommt. | I don't know if she's coming along | ob sie [mitkommt] - separable verb as one unit |
8Common Separable Verbs - Daily Life Champions
Learn the most frequent separable verbs as complete units. These verbs dominate daily German conversation and are essential for natural expression.
High Frequency: These verbs appear constantly in everyday German
Chunk Learning: Learn prefix + verb + meaning as one unit
Daily Actions: Most daily routines use separable verbs
Conversation Essential: Mastering these makes your German sound natural
Memory_trick: Learn by theme: morning routine, communication, shopping, etc.
9Practice Exercises
anrufen / ich / dich / morgen
76 graded exercises on Separable Verbs (Trennbare Verben), with the mistake explained every time you get one wrong.
10 more A2 grammar topics — see them all