German conjugation explanation

Verbs with separable and inseparable prefixes

<p>In German, most verb prefixes are either always

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/german_seperable_prefixes/" target="_blank">separable</a>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/german_inseperable_prefixes/" target="_blank">inseparable</a>

<p>The meaning of the verb changes depending on whether the prefix is separated or not. The prefixes that belong to this group are:</p>

<p style="text-align: center;"><strong>durch-</strong> | <strong>hinter-</strong> | <strong>über-</strong> | <strong>um-</strong> | <strong>unter-</strong> | <strong>wieder-</strong></p>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">The Rule of Thumb: Stress and Meaning</div>

<p>To distinguish between the two forms, you can look at the <strong>pronunciation</strong> (stress) and the <strong>meaning</strong> of the verb.</p>

<ul>

<li>

<div><strong>Separable:</strong> The prefix is <strong>stressed</strong>. The meaning is usually <strong>literal</strong> or concrete (often indicating movement or physical position).</div>

<p style="font-style: italic;"><strong>um</strong>schauen &#8594; ich schaue mich <strong>um</strong> (<span class="in_word_highlight">looking</span> around)</p>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>Inseparable:</strong> The prefix is <strong>unstressed</strong> (the stress is on the verb stem). The meaning is usually <strong>figurative</strong> or abstract.</div>

<p style="font-style: italic;">um<strong>ar</strong>men &#8594; ich um<strong>ar</strong>me dich (hugging/embracing)</p>

</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Common Examples</div>

<p>Here are some of the most common verbs that demonstrate this duality:</p>

<ul>

<li>

<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/%C3%BCbersetzen/" title="Click to see conjugations for übersetzen" target="_blank">ÜBERSETZEN</a>

<div><strong>Separable</strong> (stressed <span style="font-style: italic;">über</span>): to cross over (a river, a street)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Wir <span class="green_emphasis">setzten</span> mit der Fähre <span class="green_emphasis">über</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">We crossed over by ferry.</span>)</div>

<div><strong>Inseparable</strong> (stressed <span style="font-style: italic;">set</span>): to translate</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Sie <span class="green_emphasis">übersetzt</span> den Roman ins Deutsche. (<span style="font-style: italic;">She is translating the novel into German.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/umgehen/" title="Click to see conjugations for umgehen" target="_blank">UMGEHEN</a>

<div><strong>Separable</strong> (stressed <span style="font-style: italic;">um</span>): to handle, to treat, to deal with</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Er <span class="green_emphasis">geht</span> gut mit Stress <span class="green_emphasis">um</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He deals well with stress.</span>)</div>

<div><strong>Inseparable</strong> (stressed <span style="font-style: italic;">geh</span>): to avoid, to bypass, to circumvent</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Wir <span class="green_emphasis">umgingen</span> den Stau. (<span style="font-style: italic;">We bypassed the traffic jam.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/wiederholen/" title="Click to see conjugations for wiederholen" target="_blank">WIEDERHOLEN</a>

<div><strong>Separable</strong> (stressed <span style="font-style: italic;">wie</span>): to bring back, to fetch back</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Der Hund <span class="green_emphasis">holt</span> den Ball <span class="green_emphasis">wieder</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The dog brings back the ball.</span>)</div>

<div><strong>Inseparable</strong> (stressed <span style="font-style: italic;">ho</span>): to repeat</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Bitte <span class="green_emphasis">wiederholen</span> Sie die Frage. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Please repeat the question.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/%C3%BCbergehen/" title="Click to see conjugations for übergehen" target="_blank">ÜBERGEHEN</a>

<div><strong>Separable</strong> (stressed <span style="font-style: italic;">über</span>): to transition, to turn into</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Der Regen <span class="green_emphasis">ging</span> in Schnee <span class="green_emphasis">über</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">The rain turned into snow.</span>)</div>

<div><strong>Inseparable</strong> (stressed <span style="font-style: italic;">geh</span>): to ignore, to pass over (a promotion)</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Sie <span class="green_emphasis">übergingen</span> ihn bei der Beförderung. (<span style="font-style: italic;">They passed him over for the promotion.</span>)</div>

</li>

<li>

<div><strong>

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext verb_link" href="/study/conjugations/ger/unterstellen/" title="Click to see conjugations for unterstellen" target="_blank">UNTERSTELLEN</a>

<div><strong>Separable</strong> (stressed <span style="font-style: italic;">un</span>): to place under, to store, to take shelter</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Wir <span class="green_emphasis">stellen</span> uns beim Regen <span class="green_emphasis">unter</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">We take shelter from the rain.</span>)</div>

<div><strong>Inseparable</strong> (stressed <span style="font-style: italic;">stel</span>): to insinuate, to allege, to impute</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Er <span class="green_emphasis">unterstellt</span> mir oft Fehler. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He often insinuates that I make mistakes.</span>)</div>

</li>

</ul>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_title">Past Participle Formation</div>

<p>Remember that the

<a class="conjugation_explanation_link_intext" href="/conjugationExplanation/german_past_participle_formation/" target="_blank">past participle</a>

<ul>

<li><strong>Separable:</strong> adds <span class="in_word_highlight">-ge-</span> between the prefix and the stem (<span style="font-style: italic;">über<strong>ge</strong>setzt</span>).</li>

<li><strong>Inseparable:</strong> does <strong>not</strong> use <span style="font-style: italic;">-ge-</span> (<span style="font-style: italic;">übersetzt</span>).</li>

</ul>