What separable-prefix verbs are (and why they matter)
Many common German verbs consist of two meaningful parts: a core verb (the base meaning) plus a prefix that adds direction, completion, repetition, or a specific nuance. In a large group of these verbs, the prefix is separable, meaning it can detach from the verb in certain sentence patterns. This chapter focuses on recognizing separable prefixes and understanding how they shape the core meaning of the verb, so you can guess meanings, learn vocabulary faster, and avoid confusion with similar-looking verbs.
Example idea: compare stehen (to stand) with aufstehen (to stand up / get up). The prefix auf- adds the idea of “upward” or “starting,” changing the action in a predictable way.
How to recognize a separable-prefix verb in real text
Clue 1: The verb appears “split” in a simple sentence
In many everyday statements, you will see the conjugated verb early and the prefix later, often near the end. When you notice a small word that looks like a preposition or adverb sitting at the end, check whether it is actually a prefix that belongs to the verb.
Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. → The verb is aufstehen.
Der Zug kommt pünktlich an. → The verb is ankommen.
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Wir machen das Licht aus. → The verb is ausmachen.
Practical tip: if the final element (auf, an, aus, mit, ein, etc.) feels like it “completes” the verb, treat it as a candidate prefix.
Clue 2: In dictionaries and vocabulary lists, it appears as one word
Separable-prefix verbs are written as one word in the infinitive: aufstehen, ankommen, ausmachen. When you look up the verb, search for the combined form, not just the base verb.
Clue 3: Stress often falls on the prefix
In spoken German, separable prefixes are typically stressed: AUFstehen, ANkommen, AUSmachen. This is not a rule you must master immediately, but it is a helpful listening clue: if you hear strong stress on the first syllable that sounds like a prefix, it is often separable.
Common separable prefixes and their “core meaning” contributions
Separable prefixes are not random. Many carry consistent meaning patterns. Learning these patterns helps you infer a verb’s meaning even when you have never seen it before.
auf- (up; open; start)
aufstehen = stand up / get up (movement upward, start the day)
aufmachen = open (make something “up/open”)
aufwachen = wake up (start being awake)
aufhören = stop (bring an action “up to an end” in usage)
Pattern to remember: auf- often signals a change into an “active/open/started” state.
an- (toward; on; begin contact)
ankommen = arrive (come “to” a place)
anfangen = begin (start an activity)
anmachen = turn on (a device), also “hit on” (context-dependent)
anrufen = call (phone) (reach out toward someone)
Pattern to remember: an- often implies “toward/onto” or “initiate contact.”
aus- (out; off; completely)
ausgehen = go out (leave home; also “go out” like a light)
ausmachen = turn off; also “make/arrange” (e.g., an appointment)
aussehen = look/appear (how something “looks out”)
ausfüllen = fill out (a form)
Pattern to remember: aus- often expresses “outward,” “off,” or “to completion.”
ein- (in; into; begin a process)
einkaufen = shop (buy things, “buy in”)
einsteigen = get in / board (step into a bus/train)
einladen = invite (load someone “in” to an event)
einschlafen = fall asleep (enter sleep)
Pattern to remember: ein- often means “into” or “starting to enter a state.”
mit- (with; along; participate)
mitkommen = come along
mitmachen = participate (do along with others)
mitbringen = bring along
mithören = listen in (hear along with someone)
Pattern to remember: mit- signals accompaniment or participation.
vor- (before; ahead; in advance)
vorstellen = introduce; imagine (place something “in front” mentally or socially)
vorbereiten = prepare (make ready in advance)
vorhaben = plan/intend (have something ahead)
vorlesen = read aloud (read “in front of” others)
Pattern to remember: vor- often means “in advance” or “in front.”
nach- (after; follow; repeat)
nachfragen = ask again / inquire (follow-up question)
nachmachen = imitate (do after someone)
nachsehen = check/lookup (look after/for something)
nachkommen = follow; comply (come after; fulfill)
Pattern to remember: nach- often signals “following” or “doing again/after.”
ab- (away; down; cancel; depart)
abfahren = depart (drive away)
abholen = pick up (collect someone/something)
abgeben = hand in / submit (give away)
absagen = cancel (say off)
Pattern to remember: ab- often indicates separation, departure, or cancellation.
zu- (closed; toward; add; begin doing)
zumachen = close (make shut)
zuhören = listen (actively, “hear toward”)
zusehen = watch (look toward)
zugeben = admit (give toward/acknowledge)
Pattern to remember: zu- often relates to “closed” or “direct attention toward.”
Step-by-step: How to decode a separable-prefix verb you don’t know
Step 1: Identify the base verb
When you see a split verb, locate the conjugated part (the core verb) and the prefix at the end. The conjugated part often looks like a familiar verb you may already know.
Ich fange heute um 9 Uhr an. → core verb: fangen, prefix: an- → infinitive: anfangen
Sie lädt ihre Freunde ein. → core verb: laden, prefix: ein- → infinitive: einladen
Step 2: Assign a “prefix meaning” (roughly)
Use the prefix patterns above to guess the direction or nuance. Don’t aim for a perfect translation yet; aim for a helpful mental image.
ein- → “into” / “entering”
aus- → “out” / “off” / “completely”
mit- → “with” / “along”
Step 3: Combine prefix + base meaning into a plausible guess
Now combine the base verb’s meaning with the prefix’s contribution. This often gets you close enough to understand the sentence.
einsteigen = steigen (climb/step) + ein (into) → “step into” → board/get in
ausgehen = gehen (go) + aus (out) → go out
mitbringen = bringen (bring) + mit (along) → bring along
Step 4: Check the context for the “correct branch” of meaning
Some separable-prefix verbs have more than one common meaning. Context (topic, objects, situation) tells you which meaning is intended.
ausmachen can mean “turn off” (devices) or “arrange/agree on” (plans). Compare: Mach bitte das Licht aus. vs. Wir machen einen Termin aus.
anmachen can mean “turn on” (devices) or “hit on” (a person). Compare: Mach den Computer an. vs. Er macht sie ständig an.
Step 5: Learn the verb with a mini-phrase, not alone
To avoid mixing up similar verbs, store each new separable-prefix verb with a typical object or phrase.
aufstehen → um 7 Uhr aufstehen
einladen → Freunde einladen
abholen → jemanden vom Bahnhof abholen
How separable prefixes change meaning: useful contrast sets
One of the fastest ways to build intuition is to compare a base verb with several prefixed versions. You will see how the prefix “steers” the action.
gehen (to go) with prefixes
gehen = to go
ausgehen = to go out (socially) / to go out (light)
mitgehen = to go along
weggehen = to go away (note: weg- is also separable and often means “away”)
machen (to do/make) with prefixes
machen = to do/make
anmachen = to turn on; to hit on
ausmachen = to turn off; to arrange
mitmachen = to participate
aufmachen = to open
kommen (to come) with prefixes
kommen = to come
ankommen = to arrive
mitkommen = to come along
zurückkommen = to come back (prefix zurück- is separable and means “back”)
Separable vs. inseparable: how not to mix them up
Not every prefix is separable. Some prefixes are typically inseparable (they stay attached and do not split). This matters because it affects how you recognize the verb in a sentence and how you look it up.
Common inseparable prefixes (recognition list)
These prefixes are often inseparable: be-, ver-, er-, ent-, ge-, zer-. When you see them, the verb usually stays as one unit in the sentence.
besuchen (be-) = to visit
verstehen (ver-) = to understand
erzählen (er-) = to tell (a story)
entscheiden (ent-) = to decide
Practical recognition tip: if you see be-/ver-/er-/ent- at the start, do not expect it to appear at the end of the sentence as a separated piece.
Tricky case: prefixes that can be separable or inseparable
Some prefixes can be separable or inseparable depending on meaning and stress, especially über-, unter-, um-, durch-, wider-. In everyday beginner material, you will meet both types. A practical approach is to learn these verbs individually with example sentences and pay attention to whether the prefix splits in the sentence you see.
übersetzen can mean “to translate” (often inseparable) or “to ferry across” (often separable). Context and sentence behavior help you decide.
Practical step-by-step: How to find the infinitive in a sentence (and look it up)
When you read or listen, you often encounter the split form. Here is a reliable method to reconstruct the dictionary form.
Step 1: Find the prefix at the end
Look for a short element at or near the end: auf, an, aus, ein, mit, vor, nach, ab, zu, zurück, weg.
Step 2: Find the conjugated verb form
Identify the verb that is conjugated for the subject (the “finite” verb). This is the part that carries the personal ending.
Step 3: Combine prefix + base verb (in that order)
Put the prefix in front of the base verb to form the infinitive.
Er ruft mich später an. → anrufen
Wir stehen früh auf. → aufstehen
Ich kaufe heute ein. → einkaufen
Step 4: Confirm by checking meaning with the object
Ask: what is being acted on? Devices often go with anmachen/ausmachen. People often go with anrufen/einladen/abholen. Places often go with ankommen/abfahren.
Mini “prefix map”: building meaning quickly
Use this as a mental shortcut. It is not perfect, but it is extremely useful for guessing meaning.
an-: toward, on, start contact (call, start)
auf-: up, open, start/change state (get up, open)
aus-: out, off, completely (go out, turn off, fill out)
ein-: in, into, begin entering (board, fall asleep)
mit-: with, along, participate (come along, join in)
ab-: away, down, cancel, depart (leave, submit, cancel)
vor-: ahead, in advance, in front (prepare, introduce)
nach-: after, follow, repeat (ask again, imitate)
zu-: closed; toward attention (close, listen)
Practice set: recognize the prefix and infer the meaning
Try to identify (1) the prefix, (2) the base verb, (3) the likely meaning. Then check the suggested interpretation.
Ich mache die Tür zu. → prefix: zu-, base: machen, verb: zumachen → close (the door)
Der Bus fährt um 8 Uhr ab. → prefix: ab-, base: fahren, verb: abfahren → depart
Kannst du bitte kurz zuhören? → prefix: zu-, base: hören, verb: zuhören → listen (attentively)
Wir füllen das Formular aus. → prefix: aus-, base: füllen, verb: ausfüllen → fill out (a form)
Sie bringt morgen ihren Laptop mit. → prefix: mit-, base: bringen, verb: mitbringen → bring along
Common learner problems (and how to fix them)
Problem 1: You translate the prefix as a separate word
Because prefixes often look like prepositions (an, auf, aus), learners sometimes translate them separately and miss the real verb meaning. Fix: always ask, “Is this final word completing a verb?” If yes, combine it with the verb.
Problem 2: You look up only the base verb
If you look up stehen when the sentence contains steht ... auf, you will get “to stand” and the sentence won’t make sense. Fix: reconstruct the infinitive (prefix + base) before searching.
Problem 3: You assume the meaning is always literal
Many prefixed verbs are predictable, but some have idiomatic meanings. Fix: use the prefix map to guess, then confirm with one example phrase and store that phrase.
Notebook method: learn separable-prefix verbs in families
Instead of memorizing long lists, group verbs by base verb or by prefix. This creates strong memory links and makes recognition faster.
Family by base verb: “-machen”
anmachen (turn on)
ausmachen (turn off; arrange)
aufmachen (open)
zumachen (close)
mitmachen (participate)
Family by prefix: “aus-”
ausgehen (go out)
ausmachen (turn off)
ausfüllen (fill out)
aussehen (look/appear)
Practical step: choose one family and write 5 example sentences that match your daily life. Keep the sentences short and realistic so you can reuse them in conversation.
Quick reference: spotting separable prefixes at a glance
If you see a short element at the end of a clause that matches one of these, it is often a separable prefix: ab, an, auf, aus, bei, ein, fest, her, hin, los, mit, nach, vor, weg, weiter, zu, zurück. Not all of these are covered equally at beginner level, but recognizing them as “possible prefixes” will help you parse sentences faster.
Checklist when reading: 1) Is there a small word at the end? 2) Does it match a common prefix? 3) What is the conjugated verb earlier? 4) Combine them to form the infinitive. 5) Use prefix meaning + context to infer the action.
