German Separable Verbs: The Complete Guide (Trennbare Verben)

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Separable verbs are one of the most distinctive features of German grammar. The verb splits in two — the prefix flies to the end of the sentence while the stem stays in its normal position. This puzzles beginners, but the rules are consistent and predictable.

This guide explains exactly when separable verbs split, where the prefix goes, and how to tell separable verbs from inseparable ones.

What Are Separable Verbs?

A separable verb (trennbares Verb) is a verb with a detachable prefix. In the infinitive form, the prefix is attached: aufstehen (to get up). In a main clause, the prefix separates and moves to the end.

• Infinitive: aufstehen (to get up)
• In a sentence: Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. (I get up at 7 o'clock.)

The prefix auf detaches from stehen and goes to the end. The conjugated stem stehe stays in position 2.

English has something similar with phrasal verbs: "I pick my friend up at the airport." German does the same thing, but more consistently.

The 15 Most Common Separable Prefixes

These prefixes always create separable verbs when added to a verb stem.

Study Tip: If the prefix is a word that can stand on its own (auf, aus, ein, mit, zu, etc.), the verb is almost certainly separable. This rule of thumb works for 90% of cases.

The 40 Most Useful Separable Verbs

These are the separable verbs you will encounter most in daily German.

Daily Routine

Communication

Movement

Everyday Actions

Practice conjugating these verbs with our conjugation tool.

When Does the Prefix Separate?

The prefix separates in main clauses in the present tense and simple past. It stays attached in several other constructions.

Prefix SEPARATES

1. Present tense main clause:

• Ich stehe um 7 auf. — I get up at 7.

2. Simple past (Präteritum) main clause:

• Ich stand um 7 auf. — I got up at 7.

3. Imperative:

• Steh auf! — Get up!
• Mach die Tür zu! — Close the door!

For more on the imperative, see the German imperative.

Prefix STAYS ATTACHED

1. With modal verbs (infinitive at the end):

• Ich muss um 7 aufstehen. — I have to get up at 7.
• Kannst du mitkommen? — Can you come along?

2. In Perfekt (past participle — ge- goes between prefix and stem):

• Ich bin um 7 aufgestanden. — I got up at 7.
• Er hat mich angerufen. — He called me.

3. In subordinate clauses (verb at the end, stays together):

• ..., weil ich um 7 aufstehe. — ...because I get up at 7.
• ..., dass er mich anruft. — ...that he calls me.

4. With zu + infinitive (zu goes between prefix and stem):

• Ich versuche, früh aufzustehen. — I try to get up early.
• Es ist wichtig, gut zuzuhören. — It's important to listen well.

Study Tip: The prefix only separates when the conjugated verb is in a main clause. In subordinate clauses (after weil, dass, wenn, etc.), the verb goes to the end in one piece. This is the simplest way to remember the rule. For subordinate clause word order, see German conjunctions.

Past Participle of Separable Verbs

In the Perfekt tense, the ge- goes between the prefix and the stem.

The pattern: prefix + ge + stem participle. Written as one word.

For more on the Perfekt and other tenses, see German tenses.

Separable vs. Inseparable: How to Tell

Some prefixes are always inseparable. They never detach from the verb.

Always Inseparable Prefixes

These verbs never split: Ich verstehe das (not "Ich stehe das ver").

Their past participles also have no ge-: verstanden (not "geverstanden"), bekommen (not "gebekommen").

Prefixes That Can Be Either

A few prefixes can be separable or inseparable depending on the verb. The meaning changes.

The Stress Rule

The most reliable way to tell them apart: listen to the stress.

• Separable: Stress on the PREFIX → AUF-stehen, AN-rufen, MIT-kommen
• Inseparable: Stress on the STEM → ver-STEH-en, be-KOMM-en, er-KLÄR-en

If the prefix is stressed, it separates. If the stem is stressed, it stays.

Common Mistakes

Mistake 1: Forgetting to Separate

• Wrong: Ich aufstehe um 7. ✗
• Right: Ich stehe um 7 auf. ✓

Mistake 2: Separating in Subordinate Clauses

• Wrong: ..., weil ich stehe um 7 auf. ✗
• Right: ..., weil ich um 7 aufstehe. ✓

Mistake 3: Wrong ge- Placement in Participle

• Wrong: Ich habe geaufgemacht. ✗
• Right: Ich habe aufgemacht. ✓

Wait — where is the ge-? It goes between prefix and stem: auf-ge-macht. Since "machen" → "gemacht" → with prefix: "aufgemacht." Written as one word: aufgemacht.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

German separable verbs follow one simple rule: in main clauses, the prefix goes to the end. In subordinate clauses and with modal verbs, the verb stays together. The stress rule — prefix stressed = separable, stem stressed = inseparable — helps you identify them instantly.

Start with the daily routine verbs: aufstehen, anziehen, anfangen, aufhören, einkaufen. These come up every day and will give you the most practice.

For more German grammar, explore German tenses, German word order rules, or German prepositions. Practice verb conjugation with our conjugation tool.