German Inseparable Verbs (Untrennbare Verben): Rules & List

Introduction to German Inseparable Verbs

German inseparable verbs (untrennbare Verben) have fixed prefixes that never detach from the base verb. These prefixes change the verb’s meaning and follow specific conjugation rules in all tenses. Unlike separable verbs, they do not use the “ge-” prefix in the past participle.

Why Are They Important?

• They help form new meanings in German.
• Their conjugation differs from regular verbs.
• Understanding them improves fluency and accuracy in German grammar.

This guide explains common inseparable prefixes, their meanings, and how to conjugate them correctly in different tenses.

Understanding Inseparable Verbs

What Makes a Verb Inseparable?

Inseparable verbs in German start with fixed prefixes that always stay attached to the base verb. Unlike separable verbs, these prefixes never detach, no matter the tense or sentence structure.

How Inseparable Verbs Modify Meaning

The prefix changes the meaning of the base verb, often in a significant way. These verbs function as a single unit, and their meaning is not always predictable from the base verb alone.

Example: Verstehen (to understand)

The verb verstehen consists of the prefix ver- and the base verb stehen (to stand). The prefix ver- modifies the meaning, making verstehen mean “to understand.”

• Ich verstehe dich. – I understand you.

The prefix ver- stays attached in all forms and tenses, maintaining the meaning.

Common Inseparable Prefixes in German

Inseparable verbs always keep their prefix attached, no matter the tense or sentence structure. These prefixes significantly change the meaning of the base verb.

Below is a list of the most common inseparable prefixes in German, along with their meanings and example verbs.

List of Common Inseparable Prefixes

Example Sentences with Inseparable Prefixes

Prefix: “be-” (makes verb transitive)

• Er besucht seine Großeltern. → He visits his grandparents.
• Ich bestelle eine Pizza. → I order a pizza.
• Sie beschreibt das Bild. → She describes the picture.

Prefix: “emp-” (receiving, giving advice)

• Er empfiehlt mir ein gutes Buch. → He recommends a good book to me.
• Ich empfinde große Freude. → I feel great joy.

Prefix: “ent-” (removal, beginning of action)

• Sie entdeckt eine neue Stadt. → She discovers a new city.
• Das Eis schmilzt, wenn die Sonne es erwärmt. → The ice melts when the sun warms it.

Prefix: “er-” (completion, achieving a result)

• Der Lehrer erklärt die Regel. → The teacher explains the rule.
• Sie erreicht ihr Ziel. → She reaches her goal.

Prefix: “ge-” (result, state of being)

• Das Bild gefällt mir. → I like the picture.
• Er genießt das schöne Wetter. → He enjoys the nice weather.

Prefix: “miss-” (wrongly, incorrectly)

• Er missversteht die Frage. → He misunderstands the question.
• Ich misstraue ihm. → I distrust him.

Prefix: “ver-” (away, intensifying an action)

• Wir verkaufen unser Auto. → We sell our car.
• Er verspätet sich oft. → He is often late.

Prefix: “zer-” (breaking apart, destruction)

• Der Spiegel zerbricht. → The mirror breaks.
• Sie zerreißt den Brief. → She tears up the letter.

By understanding these common prefixes and their meanings, you can easily recognize inseparable verbs and use them correctly in different contexts.

Conjugation of Inseparable Verbs in the Present Tense (Präsens)

In the present tense, inseparable verbs are conjugated like regular verbs, but the prefix remains attached to the base verb.

Example Sentences in the Present Tense

• Ich verstehe das Problem. – I understand the problem.
• Verstehst du die Frage? – Do you understand the question?
• Er versteht nichts. – He understands nothing.

For more details on the present tense, see our article on the German Present Tense.

Conjugation of Inseparable Verbs in the Present Perfect Tense (Perfekt)

In the present perfect tense, inseparable verbs form their past participle without the ge- prefix. The prefix remains attached to the base verb.

Example Sentences in the Present Perfect Tense

• Ich habe das Buch gelesen. – I have read the book.
• Hast du den Film gesehen? – Have you seen the movie?
• Sie hat die Arbeit beendet. – She has finished the work.

For more on the perfect tense, read our guide on the German Perfect Tense.

Conjugation of Inseparable Verbs in the Simple Past Tense (Präteritum)

The simple past tense is commonly used in written narratives. Inseparable verbs are conjugated as the usual verb in this tense, and the prefix remains attached.

Example Sentences in the Simple Past Tense

• Ich erklärte die Situation. – I explained the situation.
• Erklärtest du das Problem? – Did you explain the problem?
• Sie erklärte den Plan. – She explained the plan.

Learn more in our article on the German Simple Past Tense.

Conjugation of Inseparable Verbs in the Past Perfect Tense (Plusquamperfekt)

The past perfect tense describes actions that had occurred before another past event. It is formed with the simple past of the auxiliary verb and the past participle.

Example Sentences in the Past Perfect Tense

• Ich hatte ein neues Talent entdeckt. – I had discovered a new talent.
• Hattest du den Fehler entdeckt? – Had you discovered the mistake?
• Er hatte ein Geheimnis entdeckt. – He had discovered a secret.

Learn more about the past perfect tense in our article on the German Past Perfect Tense.

Conjugation of Inseparable Verbs in the Future I Tense (Futur I)

The future I tense is used to talk about actions that will happen. It is formed with the auxiliary verb werden and the infinitive form of the main verb.

Example Sentences in the Future I Tense

• Ich werde meine Familie besuchen. – I will visit my family.
• Wirst du uns besuchen? – Will you visit us?
• Sie wird das Museum besuchen. – She will visit the museum.

For more on the future tense, see our guide on the German Future I Tense.

Conjugation of Inseparable Verbs in the Future II Tense (Futur II)

The future II tense expresses actions that will have been completed in the future. It is formed with werden, the past participle, and the auxiliary verb haben in infinitive form.

Example Sentences in the Future II Tense

• Bis morgen werde ich alles verstanden haben. – By tomorrow, I will have understood everything.
• Wirst du die Lektion verstanden haben? – Will you have understood the lesson?
• Er wird das Problem verstanden haben. – He will have understood the problem.

To learn more about the future perfect tense, read our article on the German Future II Tense.

Separable vs. Inseparable Verbs in German

German verbs can be separable or inseparable, depending on whether their prefixes detach in different tenses. Understanding the difference is important for correct sentence structure and verb conjugation.

Key Differences Between Separable and Inseparable Verbs

Separable verbs split when conjugated in present and simple past tense, while inseparable verbs always keep their prefix attached.

Example Sentences

Separable Verbs

• Ich ziehe meine Jacke an. → I put on my jacket.
• Sie ruft ihren Freund an. → She calls her friend.
• Wir stehen früh auf. → We get up early.

Inseparable Verbs

• Ich besuche meine Eltern. → I visit my parents.
• Er verkauft sein Auto. → He sells his car.
• Sie erklärt die Aufgabe. → She explains the task.

Knowing whether a verb is separable or inseparable helps form correct sentences and avoid common mistakes when speaking or writing German.

Common Mistakes with Inseparable Verbs

Inseparable verbs follow strict rules that learners often mix up. Below are the most common mistakes and how to fix them.

Mistake 1 – Adding “ge-” to the Past Participle

Many German verbs form the past participle by adding ge- at the beginning. However, inseparable verbs never take the ge- prefix.

❌ Incorrect: Ich habe die Aufgabe geverstanden.
✅ Correct: Ich habe die Aufgabe verstanden. (I have understood the task.)

❌ Incorrect: Er hat dich gebesucht.
✅ Correct: Er hat dich besucht. (He has visited you.)

Mistake 2 – Separating the Prefix in a Sentence

Unlike separable verbs, inseparable verbs never split in a sentence.

❌ Incorrect: Die Lehrerin klärt den Schülern die Aufgabe er.
✅ Correct: Die Lehrerin erklärt den Schülern die Aufgabe. (The teacher explains the task to the pupils.)

Mistake 3 – Confusing Separable and Inseparable Verbs

Some verbs look similar but have different meanings depending on whether they are separable or inseparable.

Example:

• “übersehen” (inseparable) → Er übersieht das Problem. (He overlooks the problem.)
• “sehen über” (separable) → Er sieht über den See. (He looks across the lake.)

Another example:

• “umfahren” (inseparable) → Er umfährt die Stadt. (He drives around the city.)
• “fahren um” (separable) → Er fährt den Baum um. (He knocks down the tree.)

How to Avoid These Mistakes

To use inseparable verbs correctly, follow these steps:

1. Learn the most common inseparable prefixes (be-, ent-, er-, ver-, zer-, etc.)
2. Practice past participle forms (without the ge- prefix).
3. Memorize inseparable verb meanings to avoid confusion.

Conclusion

Understanding German inseparable verbs is essential for mastering the language. Recognizing the prefixes that remain attached and knowing how they affect the meaning of the base verb will enhance your fluency. Practice conjugating inseparable verbs in different tenses to become more comfortable with their usage.

For a comprehensive overview of German tenses, visit our guide on German Tenses Explained. Additionally, learning about German Separable Verbs can further deepen your understanding of verb prefixes.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I identify inseparable verbs?

Inseparable verbs begin with specific prefixes such as be-, ent-, er-, ge-, miss-, ver-, and zer-. These prefixes never detach from the base verb.

Do inseparable verbs ever separate in a sentence?

No, inseparable verbs’ prefixes always remain attached to the base verb, regardless of the tense or sentence structure.

How do inseparable verbs form their past participle?

Inseparable verbs do not add the ge- prefix in the past participle form. For example, verstehen becomes verstanden, not geverstanden.

Can I use inseparable verbs in all tenses?

Yes, inseparable verbs can be conjugated in all tenses just like regular verbs, keeping the prefix attached.