Wir kaufen für die Party ein. German Separable Prefix Verbs

In this post we’ll learn about German separable prefix verbs. First, we’ll start by defining them and giving examples. Then we’ll see some examples of how the prefixes are separated when the verbs are conjugated. After that we’ll see what happens to separable prefix verbs when you them with modals, in the imperative, in past participles, and finally in zu infinitives.

Einkaufen, ankommen, abfahren

If you’ve been studying German you’ve no doubt come across trennbare Verben, known in English as separable prefix verbs or split verbs. (There are also inseparable prefix verbs, which you can read about here.) Separable Prefix verbs are simply “normal” verbs with a prefix that doesn’t always stay attached to the basic verb. For example:

• kaufen (to buy)
• einkaufen (to shop)
• kommen (to come)
• ankommen (to arrive)
• fahren (to go, to drive)
• abfahren (to depart)
• gehen (to go)
• durchgehen (to go/pass through)

Separating the Prefix

Kaufen, kommen, fahren, and gehen are basic verbs, no prefix. But einkaufen, ankommen, abfahren, and durchgehen are split or separable prefix verbs. They include the prefixes ein-, an-, ab-, and durch-. These prefixes change the meaning of the basic verb, and they also “split” away from the main verb, hence the name split verbs. Compare:

• Wir kaufen heute bei Aldi Milch.
  We’re buying milk today at Aldi.
• Wir kaufen heute bei Aldi für die Party am Samstag ein.
  We’re shopping today at Aldi for the party on Saturday.
• Sie kommt morgen nach Hause.
  She’s coming home tomorrow.
• Wann kommt das Flugzeug aus Teneriffa in Hamburg an?
  When does the plane from Tenerife arrive in Hamburg?
• Dieser Bus fährt zum Flughafen.
  This bus goes to the airport.
• Der Bus fährt um fünf Uhr vom Hauptbahnhof ab.
  The bus departs the main train station at five o’clock.
• Wir gehen zu Fuß.
  We’re going on foot.
• Wir gehen nicht durch.
  We’re not passing/walking through.

Notice that the prefixes ein-, an-, ab– and durch– separate from the verb when it’s conjugated, and go to the end of the clause. This happens in the Präsenz (present tense) and Imperfekt/Präteritum (simple or narrative past).

• Wir kauften heute bei Aldi für die Party am Samstag ein.
  We went shopping today at Aldi for the party on Saturday.
• Der Bus fuhr um fünf Uhr vom Hauptbahnhof ab.
  The bus departed the main train station at five o’clock.
• Wann kam das Flugzeug aus Teneriffa in Hamburg an?
  When did the plane from Tenerife arrive in Hamburg?
• Wir gingen nicht durch.
  We didn’t pass/walk through.

Ich kann nicht mitkommen. Separable Prefix Verbs with Modals

With modal verbs like können (can), müssen (must), and wollen (want), the prefix sticks with the main verb in the infinitive form, at the end of the clause as usual.

• Ich kann nicht mitkommen.
  I can’t go along.
• Willst du morgen mitkommen?
  Do you want to come along tomorrow?
• Ich kann heute Abend nicht ausgehen.
  I can’t go out tonight.
• Ihr müsst aufpassen, Kinder!
  You have to pay attention, kids!

Pass auf! Imperatives with Separable Prefix Verbs

When you give a command, the prefix splits and goes to the end of the clause.

• Hör mir zu!
  Listen to me!
• Pass auf!
  Pay attention!
• Geh jetzt weg!
  Go away now!

Mitgehen, Mitgegangen: Past Participles of Separable Prefix Verbs

In the Perfekt (past tense with haben or sein), the prefix sticks with the main verb, or at least it’s not separated by quite as much distance! The ge– of the past participle comes between the prefix and the verb:

• mitgehen (to accompany) > mitgegangen
• zuhören (to listen) > zugehört
• ausziehen (to move out) > ausgezogen
• durchlesen (to read through) > durchgelesen

Let’s see some examples. Compare the present and past tenses:

• Gehen Sie mit?
  Are you going along?
• Sind Sie mitgegangen?
  Did you go along?
• Ich höre dem Lehrer zu.
  I listen to the teacher.
• Ich habe dem Lehrer zugehört.
  I listened to the teacher.

Sie versucht mitzusingen. Infinitives with zu.

There’s one other construction where the prefix is separated from the stem only by a small particle. In the past it’s –ge-, and in zu infinitives it’s –zu-, as in mitzugehen (to go along) or auszugeben (to spend).

• Ich habe vor, mitzugehen.
  I intend to come along.
• Er geht in sein Zimmer, um sich umzuziehen.
  He’s going to his room to change clothes.
• Sie versucht, mitzusingen.
  She’s trying to sing along.

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