50 Must-Know German Separable Verbs | A1 - B1
Almost 25% of all German verbs from A1 to B1 level are separable verbs (trennbare Verben), so learning the most important ones pays off quickly. In the video you learn the Top 50 German separable verbs, grouped by prefix, and each group starts with the most important meanings of that prefix. Grab a pen and paper, write along, and make your own example sentence for each verb, because that is what helps you remember them. The bonus tip at the end covers useful separable verbs that help in German classes and for exams. Below is a compact overview of the key prefix groups.
What Is a Separable Verb?
A separable verb has a prefix that splits off and moves to the end of the sentence in main clauses. The verb "aufstehen" (to get up) becomes: "Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf." Here is how they behave in the most important situations:
- Main clause: "Er ruft mich morgen an."
- Perfekt: the "ge-" goes between the prefix and the verb: "Ich bin um 7 Uhr aufgestanden."
- With "zu": "zu" also goes in the middle: "Ich habe keine Lust, früh aufzustehen."
- Subordinate clause: the verb stays together: "..., weil ich um 7 Uhr aufstehe."
Separable Verbs by Prefix
Learning verbs in groups makes the meanings easier to guess. Here are the core prefix groups with high-frequency examples:
an- (contact, beginning, arrival)
anrufen (to call), anfangen (to begin), ankommen (to arrive), anmelden (to register), ansehen (to look at)
auf- (up, open, finish)
aufstehen (to get up), aufmachen (to open), aufhören (to stop), aufräumen (to tidy up), aufwachen (to wake up)
aus- (out, off)
ausgehen (to go out), aussehen (to look like), aussteigen (to get off), ausfüllen (to fill out), ausgeben (to spend money)
ein- (in, into)
einkaufen (to shop), einladen (to invite), einsteigen (to get on), einschlafen (to fall asleep), einziehen (to move in)
mit- (along, with)
mitbringen (to bring along), mitkommen (to come along), mitnehmen (to take along), mitmachen (to join in)
vor- (before, forward)
vorbereiten (to prepare), vorstellen (to introduce), vorschlagen (to suggest), vorhaben (to plan), vorlesen (to read aloud)
zu- (closed, toward)
zumachen (to close), zuhören (to listen), zunehmen (to gain weight, increase)
ab- (off, away)
abfahren (to depart), abholen (to pick up), abgeben (to hand in), abnehmen (to lose weight), abwaschen (to wash the dishes)
weg- (away)
weggehen (to go away), wegwerfen (to throw away), wegfahren (to drive away), wegnehmen (to take away)
zurück- (back)
zurückkommen (to come back), zurückgeben (to give back), zurückrufen (to call back), zurückfahren (to drive back)
nach- (after, checking)
nachdenken (to think about), nachfragen (to ask for details), nachschlagen (to look up). See our lesson on the different meanings of "nach" for more.
How to Learn Them
Write each verb on a list, add the meaning of the prefix, and then write your own example sentence. Use the verbs in the Perfekt as well, because the "ge-" in the middle ("eingekauft," "mitgebracht") is a common source of errors.
Häufig gestellte Fragen (FAQ)
What are separable verbs in German?
Separable verbs (trennbare Verben) are verbs with a prefix that splits off and moves to the end of the sentence in main clauses, for example "aufstehen": "Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf".
How do you form the Perfekt of separable verbs?
The "ge-" goes between the prefix and the verb stem: aufstehen becomes "aufgestanden", einkaufen becomes "eingekauft", mitbringen becomes "mitgebracht".
Where does "zu" go with separable verbs?
"Zu" goes between the prefix and the verb, written as one word: "aufzustehen", "einzukaufen", "anzurufen".
How many German verbs are separable?
According to the video, almost 25% of all German verbs from A1 to B1 level are separable, which is why it is worth learning the most common ones by prefix.
What is the best way to learn separable verbs?
Learn them in groups by prefix, since prefixes have typical meanings (mit- = along, zurück- = back). Then write your own example sentence for each verb and practise them in the Perfekt.
Want to practise these verbs in context? Our B1 German online program brings separable verbs and other key topics together in structured lessons with plenty of examples.
