German inseparable verbs, known as untrennbare Verben, are a fundamental aspect of the German language. These verbs have prefixes that remain attached to the base verb in all tenses and sentence structures. Understanding inseparable verbs is crucial for mastering German grammar and enhancing your fluency. This guide will explain what inseparable verbs are, how to recognize them, and how to conjugate them in different tenses.
Understanding German Inseparable Verbs
Inseparable verbs are verbs that begin with specific prefixes that do not detach from the base verb. These prefixes alter the meaning of the base verb but always stay connected, regardless of the tense or sentence structure. The meaning of the verb often changes significantly with the addition of the prefix.
Example:verstehen (to understand)
Ich verstehe dich. – I understand you.
Common Inseparable Prefixes
Here is a list of common inseparable prefixes in German:
Prefix
Meaning
Example Verb
English Translation
be-
makes verb transitive
besuchen
to visit
emp-
receiving
empfehlen
to recommend
ent-
away, beginning
entdecken
to discover
er-
completion
erklären
to explain
ge-
result
gefallen
to please
miss-
wrongly
missverstehen
to misunderstand
ver-
away, for
verkaufen
to sell
zer-
apart
zerbrechen
to break apart
Example Sentences with Inseparable Prefixes
Er besucht seine Großeltern. – He visits his grandparents.
Sie erklärt die Aufgabe. – She explains the task.
Wir verkaufen unser Auto. – We sell our car.
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.
Person
Conjugation of verstehen
English Translation
ich
verstehe
I understand
du
verstehst
you understand
er/sie/es
versteht
he/she/it understands
wir
verstehen
we understand
ihr
versteht
you understand
sie/Sie
verstehen
they understand / you understand
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.
Person
Auxiliary Verb
Past Participle of beginnen
English Translation
ich
habe
begonnen
I have begun
du
hast
begonnen
you have begun
er/sie/es
hat
begonnen
he/she/it has begun
wir
haben
begonnen
we have begun
ihr
habt
begonnen
you have begun
sie/Sie
haben
begonnen
they have begun / you have begun
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.
Conjugation of Inseparable Verbs in the Simple Past Tense (Präteritum)
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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.
Person
Conjugation of erklären
English Translation
ich
erklärte
I explained
du
erklärtest
you explained
er/sie/es
erklärte
he/she/it explained
wir
erklärten
we explained
ihr
erklärtet
you explained
sie/Sie
erklärten
they explained / you explained
Example Sentences in the Simple Past Tense
Ich erklärte die Situation. – I explained the situation.
Erklärtest du das Problem? – Did you explain the problem?
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.
Person
Auxiliary Verb (Simple Past)
Past Participle of entdecken
English Translation
ich
hatte
entdeckt
I had discovered
du
hattest
entdeckt
you had discovered
er/sie/es
hatte
entdeckt
he/she/it had discovered
wir
hatten
entdeckt
we had discovered
ihr
hattet
entdeckt
you had discovered
sie/Sie
hatten
entdeckt
they had discovered / you had discovered
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.
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.
Person
Auxiliary Verb
Main Verb (besuchen)
English Translation
ich
werde
besuchen
I will visit
du
wirst
besuchen
you will visit
er/sie/es
wird
besuchen
he/she/it will visit
wir
werden
besuchen
we will visit
ihr
werdet
besuchen
you will visit
sie/Sie
werden
besuchen
they will visit / you will visit
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.
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.
Person
Auxiliary Verb
Past Participle of verstehen
Auxiliary Verb (Infinitive)
English Translation
ich
werde
verstanden
haben
I will have understood
du
wirst
verstanden
haben
you will have understood
er/sie/es
wird
verstanden
haben
he/she/it will have understood
wir
werden
verstanden
haben
we will have understood
ihr
werdet
verstanden
haben
you will have understood
sie/Sie
werden
verstanden
haben
they will have understood /
you will have understood
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.
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.
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