Separable Verbs
Separable Verbs
German Separable Verbs (Trennbare Verben)
Some German verbs have prefixes that can separate from the main verb in a sentence. These are called separable verbs. Learning them is important because they change the sentence structure.
1. How Separable Verbs Work
Prefix + Verb → aufstehen (to get up)
• Prefix: auf
• Verb: stehen
Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf.
→ I get up at 7 o’clock.
→ I get up at 7 o’clock.
2. Common Separable Prefixes
| Prefix | Example Verb | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| auf | aufstehen | to get up |
| an | anrufen | to call |
| ein | einkaufen | to shop |
| aus | ausgehen | to go out |
| mit | mitkommen | to come along |
3. Present Tense Examples
| Pronoun | Sentence Example |
|---|---|
| ich | Ich stehe auf. → I get up. |
| du | Du stehst auf. → You get up. |
| er/sie/es | Er steht auf. → He gets up. |
| wir | Wir stehen auf. → We get up. |
| ihr | Ihr steht auf. → You (plural) get up. |
| sie/Sie | Sie stehen auf. → They / You (formal) get up. |
4. Quick Rules
- Separable verbs split in main sentences: the prefix goes to the end.
- In questions, the verb still separates:
Stehst du um 7 Uhr auf? → Do you get up at 7?
- In the past tense, the verb usually stays together:
Ich bin um 7 Uhr aufgestanden. → I got up at 7.
Why Separable Verbs Matter
- They are very common in daily conversation.
- Help you sound more natural in German.
- Essential for making correct sentences with time, place, and actions.