M1_4A.3: Separable and inseparable prefix verbs (A)

4A.3: Separable and inseparable verbs

​Schloß Neuschwanstein

Prefix verbs in German

• In German, many verbs have a prefix in their infinitive form.

• A verb with a prefix has the same conjugations as its base form, but the added prefix changes the meaning.

  • Sucht ihr eure Eltern? (Are you looking for your parents?)

  • Besucht ihr eure Verwandten? (Do you visit your relatives?)

• Some prefixes are always attached to the verb, and others can be separated from it.

  • Jakob verkauft sein Fahrrad. (Jakob is selling his bike.)

  • Ich kaufe im Supermarkt ein. (I shop at the supermarket.)

Let's start with these separable prefix verbs - what are the definitions?

Match

• anfangen

• ankommen

• anrufen

• aufstehen

• ausgehen

to begin

to arrive

to call

to get up

to go out

• to begin

• to arrive

• to call

• to get up

• to go out

Match

• einkaufen

• einschlafen

• mitbringen

• mitkommen

• vorbereiten

to shop

to fall asleep

to bring along

to come along

to prepare

• to shop

• to fall asleep

• to bring along

• to come along

• to prepare

Match

• vorstellen

• zuschauen

• zurückkommen

to introduce

to watch

to come back

• to introduce

• to watch

• to come back

Next, let's work on the inseparable prefix verbs - what are the definitions?

Match

• beantworten

• besprechen

• bestellen

to answer

to discuss

to order

• to answer

• to discuss

• to order

Match

• besuchen

• bezahlen

• erklären

to visit

to pay (for)

to explain

• to visit

• to pay (for)

• to explain

Match

• verkaufen

• verbringen

• überlegen

• wiederholen

to sell

to spend (time)

to think over

to repeat

• to sell

• to spend (time)

• to think over

• to repeat

• Separable prefixes are generally prepositions (an, aus, mit) or other parts of speech that carry meanings and can stand alone. In contrast, most inseparable prefixes (be-, er-, ver- ) have no independent meaning and never stand alone.

  • Heute Abend gehen wir zusammen aus. (Tonight we're going out together.)

  • Ich bestelle die Pasta mit Garnelen. (I'm ordering the pasta with shrimp.)

  • Stefan steht jeden Morgen um 6 Uhr auf. (Stefan gets up at 6 o'clock every morning.)

  • Ihr verkauft euer Auto? (You're selling your car?)

• When using a separable prefix verb in the present tense or the imperativ, move the prefix to the end of the sentence or clause.

  • Wir kaufen auf dem Markt ein. (We're shopping at the market.)

  • Kommst du zurück? (Are you coming back?)

  • Bitte stellen Sie die Frau vor. (Please introduce the woman.)

  • Ruf deine Eltern an! (Call your parents!)

• To make the sentence negative, add nicht immediately before the separable prefix.

  • Ich komme nicht zurück. (I'm not coming back.)

  • Ruf deine Eltern nicht an! (Don't call your parents!)

• When using a modal with a separable prefix verb, move the infinitive of the separable prefix verb to the end of the sentences.

  • Die Mädchen möchten morgen Abend ausgehen. (The girls want to go out tomorrow night.)

  • Ich muss mit meinen Hausaufgaben anfangen. (I need to start my homework.)

• The prefix of an inseparable prefix verb always remains attached to the beginning of the verb.

  • Ich bezahle die Lebensmittel. (I'll pay for the groceries.)

  • Wiederholen Sie den Satz. (Repeat the sentence.)

Multiple Choice

wiederholen : to repeat. (Select the correct category.)

• separable prefix verb

• inseparable prefix verb

Multiple Choice

anrufen : to call. (Select the correct category.)

• separable prefix verb

• inseparable prefix verb

Multiple Choice

verkaufen : to sell. (Select the correct category.)

• separable prefix verb

• inseparable prefix verb

Multiple Choice

einkaufen : to go shopping. (Select the correct category.)

• separable prefix verb

• inseparable prefix verb

Multiple Choice

vorstellen : to introduce. (Select the correct category.)

• separable prefix verb

• inseparable prefix verb

Multiple Choice

ausgehen : to go out. (Select the correct category.)

• separable prefix verb

• inseparable prefix verb

Multiple Choice

bestellen : to order. (Select the correct category.)

• separable prefix verb

• inseparable prefix verb

Multiple Choice

verbringen : to spend (time). (Select the correct category.)

• separable prefix verb

• inseparable prefix verb

Multiple Choice

mitbringen : to bring along. (Select the correct category.)

• separable prefix verb

• inseparable prefix verb

Multiple Choice

besuchen : to visit. (Select the correct category.)

• separable prefix verb

• inseparable prefix verb