Master German Separable Verbs (Trennbare Verben)

Introduction

German separable verbs, known as trennbare Verben, are a unique and essential aspect of the German language. These verbs consist of a prefix and a base verb, and the prefix can detach and move to the end of the sentence in certain contexts. Understanding separable verbs is crucial for proper communication in German. This guide will explain what separable verbs are and how to conjugate them in different tenses.

What Are German Separable Verbs?

Separable verbs are verbs that combine a common verb with a prefix, altering the verb's meaning. The prefix can separate from the base verb and move to the end of the sentence, especially in the present and simple past tenses. The meaning of the verb often changes significantly with the addition of the prefix.

Example:anrufen (to call up)

• Ich rufe dich an. - I call you.

Common Separable Prefixes

Here is a list of common separable prefixes in German:

Example Sentences with Separable Prefixes

• Ich lade dich zum Essen ein. - I invite you to dinner.
• Er stellt sich vor. - He introduces himself.
• Wir machen das Fenster auf. - We open the window.

Conjugation of Separable Verbs in the Present Tense (Präsens)

In the present tense, the separable prefix detaches from the base verb and moves to the end of the sentence.

Example Sentences in the Present Tense

• Ich rufe meine Mutter an. - I call my mother.
• Rufst du deinen Freund an? - Are you calling your friend?
• Sie ruft den Arzt an. - She calls the doctor.

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

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

In the present perfect tense, the separable prefix remains attached to the past participle. The auxiliary verbs habenor sein are used.

Example Sentences in the Present Perfect Tense

• Ich habe meine Freunde eingeladen. - I have invited my friends.
• Hast du sie zur Party eingeladen? - Have you invited her to the party?
• Er hat uns zum Abendessen eingeladen. - He has invited us to dinner.
• Du bist 

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

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

The simple past tense is often used in written narratives and formal speech. For separable verbs, the prefix remains attached to the base verb in this tense.

Example Sentences in the Simple Past Tense

• Ich ging gestern Abend aus. - I went out last night.
• Gingst du mit ihnen aus? - Did you go out with them?
• Sie ging früh aus. - She went out early.

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

Conjugation of Separable 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 war mit ihnen mitgekommen. - I had come along with them.
• Warst du schon mitgekommen? - Had you already come along?
• Er war nicht mitgekommen. - He had not come along.

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

Conjugation of Separable 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 dich meinen Eltern vorstellen. - I will introduce you to my parents.
• Wirst du dich der Klasse vorstellen? - Will you introduce yourself to the class?
• Sie wird uns das neue Projekt vorstellen. - She will introduce the new project to us.

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

Conjugation of Separable 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 sein or haben in infinitive form.

Example Sentences in the Future II Tense

• Bis nächste Woche werde ich zurückgekommen sein. - By next week, I will have returned.
• Wirst du bis morgen zurückgekommen sein? - Will you have returned by tomorrow?
• Er wird von der Reise zurückgekommen sein. - He will have returned from the trip.

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

Conclusion

Understanding German separable verbs is essential for constructing accurate sentences. Recognizing the prefixes and knowing when they separate from the base verb will improve your fluency. Practice conjugating different separable verbs in various tenses to become more comfortable with their usage.

For a comprehensive overview of German tenses, visit our guide on German Tenses Explained.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I know if a verb is separable?

Look at the prefix of the verb. Common separable prefixes include ab-, an-, auf-, aus-, ein-, mit-, nach-, vor-, zu-, and zurück-. These prefixes indicate a separable verb.

When does the prefix separate from the verb?

The prefix separates in main clauses in the present and simple past tenses. It moves to the end of the sentence or clause.

Do separable verbs remain attached in the infinitive form?

Yes, in the infinitive form, separable verbs remain attached, such as anrufen, einladen, or aufstehen.

How are separable verbs used in subordinate clauses?

In subordinate clauses, the prefix usually remains attached to the verb and the conjugated verb moves to the end of the clause.

Are there verbs with inseparable prefixes?

Yes, German also has inseparable prefixes like be-, ent-, er-, ver-, and zer-. These prefixes do not separate from the base verb. You can get more detailed information about German inseparable verbs: here.