{"id":93163,"date":"2023-09-16T19:04:50","date_gmt":"2023-09-16T23:04:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/german-prefixes\/"},"modified":"2025-01-20T23:04:20","modified_gmt":"2025-01-21T04:04:20","slug":"german-prefixes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/german\/german-prefixes\/","title":{"rendered":"German Prefixes: 3 Types and Usage Notes"},"content":{"rendered":"

German prefixes are divided into three categories: Trennbar<\/strong><\/em> (separable), untrennbar<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0(inseparable) and dual<\/strong>\u2014which function as both separable and inseparable depending on context.<\/p>\n

Understanding the general meanings of these prefixes and how they affect the verbs to which they are attached is essential for success in the German language, be it in speaking<\/a>, listening<\/a>, reading<\/a> or writing<\/a>.<\/p>\n

While there is, for the most part, no perfect translation for German prefixes, some do follow patterns that can help you translate the meanings of verbs with added prefixes. Let’s break down each of these categories of prefixes and so you can use them right away.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. Trennbare Pr\u00e4fixe\u00a0<\/em>(Separable Prefixes)<\/h2>\n

Separable prefixes are, in my opinion, the toughest of the three types. Verbs with separable prefixes will appear in conversation and writing before the actual prefix, which tricks you into thinking the verb means one thing until the very end of the sentence<\/a>\u2014when you finally encounter the prefix and uncover the true meaning.<\/p>\n

Perhaps nobody understood this difficulty better than Mark Twain, whose now infamous\u00a0“The Awful German Language”<\/a>\u00a0provides an analysis of German separable prefixes:<\/p>\n

“The Germans have another kind of parenthesis, which they make by splitting a verb in two and putting half of it at the beginning of an exciting chapter and the other half at the end of it. Can any one conceive of anything more confusing than that? These things are called ‘separable verbs.’ The German grammar is blistered all over with separable verbs; and the wider the two portions of one of them are spread apart, the better the author of the crime is pleased with his performance.”<\/p>\n

While Twain’s analysis of German grammar<\/a> may be from an American viewpoint, it does echo some of the hardships anyone who wants to learn German may face. Verbs that stretch for sentences, even paragraphs, are the scourge of beginners to seasoned pros.<\/p>\n

Verbs with separable prefixes are also very widely used in German. They function as such: The prefix separates from the verb stem (which is conjugated as if it were a normal, standalone verb) and then is dropped at the end of the sentence or clause. In spoken German, the separable prefix is\u00a0stressed<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Das Pferd\u00a0steigt<\/strong> ohne\u00a0Angst in das Flugzeug\u00a0ein<\/strong>. <\/em>(Without fear, the horse boards the airplane.)<\/p>\n

Zur Beerdigung bringt<\/strong><\/em> d<\/em>ie alte Frau ihren Lieblingskuchen\u00a0mit<\/strong>.<\/em> <\/em>(The old woman brings her favorite cake to the funeral.)<\/p>\n

In the perfect past tense, the verb stem and its prefix are sent to the end of the clause, with the auxiliary verb<\/a>\u00a0haben <\/em><\/a>or\u00a0sein<\/a><\/em> going at the beginning.\u00a0To form the past participle, the usual ge-\u00a0<\/strong><\/em>is placed between the separable prefix and the verb.<\/p>\n

For example, the verb aufr\u00e4umen<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>(to tidy up, to clean up) becomes aufg<\/span>er\u00e4umt<\/strong><\/em> in the perfect tense.<\/p>\n

Die Kinder haben<\/strong> das Zimmer aufg<\/span>er<\/strong><\/em>\u00e4umt<\/strong>.<\/i> <\/i><\/i>(The children tidied up the room.)<\/p>\n

Common Separable Prefixes<\/strong><\/p>\n

Be aware that the approximate translations given below will not work 100% of the time, and your best bet at achieving success is to simply memorize the meanings of words.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Separable Prefix<\/th>Explanation<\/th>Examples<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
An<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Similar to the English \"to\" or \"from\"<\/td> schauen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to look
\n an<\/strong>schauen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014 to look at\/examine
\n
\n kommen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to come
\n an<\/strong>kommen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to arrive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Auf<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Can sometimes mean \"up\" or \"on\"<\/td> machen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to make
\n auf<\/strong>machen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to open
\n
\n stehen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to stand
\n auf<\/strong>stehen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to stand\/get up<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aus<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Most often means \"out\" or \"from\"<\/td> f\u00fchren <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to lead
\n aus<\/strong>f\u00fchren <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to execute\/perform
\n
\n kommen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to come
\n aus<\/strong>kommen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to come out<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ein<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Means \"in\" or sometimes \"down\"<\/td> dr\u00fccken <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014 to press
\n ein<\/strong>dr\u00fccken <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to press in\/dent
\n
\n atmen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to breathe
\n ein<\/strong>atmen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to inhale<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Mit<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Means \"with\"<\/td> kommen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to come
\n mit<\/strong>kommen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to come with
\n
\n machen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to make, to do
\n mit<\/strong>machen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to do with<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Nach<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Can mean \"after\" or function like the English prefix \"re-\"<\/td> gehen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to go
\n nach<\/strong>gehen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to pursue\/trace
\n
\n f\u00fcllen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to fill
\n nach<\/strong>f\u00fcllen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to refill<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zu<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Harder to translate, but can mean \"to\"<\/td> geben <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to give
\n zu<\/strong>geben <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to admit\/confess
\n
\n lassen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to let
\n zu<\/strong>lassen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to authorize<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

As mentioned, you can’t always rely on these translations. However, for verbs like kommen<\/strong>, machen<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>and spielen<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0that can take several different meanings and prefixes, knowing the rough translations of the prefixes can do wonders.<\/p>\n

2. Untrennbare Pr\u00e4fixe\u00a0<\/em>(Inseparable Prefixes)<\/h2>\n

OK. We are through with the hardest part. Let out a sigh of relief and pat yourself on the back!<\/p>\n

Inseparable prefixes function in the same way as separable prefixes, only the prefix remains attached to the verb. This makes it a lot easier to identify the full verb, particularly in conversation or while listening. Unlike separable prefixes, inseparable prefixes are\u00a0not stressed<\/strong> when spoken.<\/p>\n

Ich\u00a0erkenne<\/strong> diesen Stadtteil. <\/i>(I\u00a0recognize this part of the city.)<\/p>\n

In the perfect tense, verbs with inseparable prefixes do not take the normal ge-.<\/em><\/strong> They rather keep their prefix, and gain the\u00a0-t<\/strong><\/em> ending after the stem. Look at this example with the verb ertappen<\/em>\u00a0<\/strong>(to catch):<\/p>\n

Wir haben ihn auf frischer Tat ertappt<\/strong>! <\/em>(We caught him red-handed!)<\/p>\n

If the stem verb is irregular, however, remember to still use the irregular past participle, just replacing the\u00a0-ge<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0<\/strong>with the inseparable prefix. Let’s look at this example with erkennen<\/em>, coming from kennen<\/em>, which has an irregular past participle of gekannt:<\/em><\/p>\n

Ich habe ihn nicht erkannt<\/strong>. <\/em>(I didn’t recognize him.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

Common Inseparable Prefixes<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\t\n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
Common Inseparable Prefix<\/strong><\/th>Explanation<\/strong><\/th>Examples<\/strong><\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Be<\/em><\/strong><\/td>This one makes the verb take a direct object and can sometimes function like the English \"be-.\"<\/td> kommen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to come
\n be<\/strong>kommen <\/a>\n <\/em> [+ direct object] \u2014 to receive
\n sprechen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to speak
\n be<\/strong>sprechen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to discuss<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Emp<\/em><\/strong><\/td>This is a tricky one, but usually has to do with reception\/perception.<\/td> fehlen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to miss, to lack
\n emp<\/strong>fehlen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to recommend
\n finden <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to find
\n emp<\/strong>finden <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to feel, to perceive<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ent<\/em><\/strong><\/td>This usually makes the verb do the opposite of its stem.<\/td> arten <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to develop, to become
\n ent<\/strong>arten <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to degenerate
\n werten <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to evaluate
\n ent<\/strong>werten <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to void<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Er<\/em><\/strong><\/td>This can function in a couple of different ways: Sometimes, it acts like the English \"re-\" and other times it signals the completing of an action, particularly if that action can end in death.<\/td> kennen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to know
\n er<\/strong>kennen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to recognize
\n schie\u00dfen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to shoot
\n er<\/strong>schie\u00dfen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to shoot dead<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ge<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Unfortunately, this one seldom has a consistent translation. Also, it can trick beginners into thinking it is a past participle. To check this in some contexts, you can see whether there is already an auxiliary\u00a0 haben <\/a>\n <\/em> or\u00a0 sein <\/a>\n <\/em>. If there isn't, then it is probably a verb with the inseparable prefix ge-<\/em><\/strong>.<\/td> gewinnen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to win
\n
\n Sie gewinnt. <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0(She wins.)
\n
\nNotice that we see ge-<\/em>\u00a0but there is no auxiliary verb.
\n
\n Sie hat gewonnen. <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0(She won.)<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Miss<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Thankfully, this is an easy one to remember, as it functions similarly to the English \"mis-.\"<\/td> brauchen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to need
\n miss<\/strong>brauchen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to misuse
\n trauen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to trust
\n miss<\/strong>trauen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to mistrust<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Ver<\/em><\/strong><\/td>When added, this one often, but not always, causes the verb to do the opposite of its stem.<\/td> kaufen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to buy
\n ver<\/strong>kaufen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to sell
\n bieten <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to offer
\n ver<\/strong>bieten <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to forbid<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zer<\/em><\/strong><\/td>Those with an appetite for destruction will easily remember that zer-<\/em>\u00a0almost always causes a verb to signify zerst\u00f6ren <\/a>\n <\/em> (demolition or destruction)\u00a0of something.<\/td> reisen <\/a>\n <\/em> \u2014\u00a0to travel
\n zer<\/strong>rei\u00dfen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to shred, tear up
\n bei\u00dfen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014 to bite
\n zer<\/strong>bei\u00dfen <\/a>\n <\/em>\u00a0\u2014\u00a0to gnaw, bite in two<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n

Inseparable prefixes are going to be harder to find a consistent translation for, although these patterns can help. As mentioned, the only sure-fire way to succeed is to memorize, memorize, memorize!<\/p>\n

3. Dual Prefixes<\/h2>\n

Speaking of memorization, the third type of prefix almost exclusively requires memorization.<\/p>\n

Dual prefixes take prepositions as the prefix, so knowing the meaning of prepositions like hinter<\/strong>\u00a0<\/em>(behind), \u00fcber<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0<\/strong><\/i>(above), um<\/strong><\/em> (around), unter<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0(down or below), wider<\/i><\/strong> (against) and wieder<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0(again) will guide you to translating the meaning of the verb.<\/p>\n

For dual prefixes, you need to memorize whether the preposition is inseparable or separable. A handy way of telling the difference, however, is to listen to how the word is pronounced:\u00a0<\/p>\n

If the prefix is stressed, it is<\/strong> separable:<\/p>\n

sich um<\/strong>schauen<\/em> (To look around)<\/p>\n

Ich schaue mich um<\/strong>.<\/em> (I look around.)<\/p>\n

If the prefix is unstressed, it isn’t<\/strong> separable, and always sticks with the verb stem:<\/p>\n

\u00fcbersehen<\/strong><\/em> (To overlook\/ignore)<\/p>\n

Ich \u00fcbersehe<\/strong> seinen Fehler.<\/em> (I overlook his mistake.)\u00a0<\/p>\n

A couple of verbs with these prefixes even have both separable or inseparable forms, and the meaning changes depending on whether you use the separable or inseparable form.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Some of these changes can even be quite significant, like in the case of umfahren<\/em><\/strong>. Notice the stark change in meaning, and how this affects how you construct the sentence in the present and past tenses.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Inseparable: <\/strong><\/p>\n