German prefix verbs: the complete guide

German separable prefix verbs with the particle “ab”

Here are examples of German phrases containing separable verbs with the particle “ab”:

abhängen (to depend on)

« Sprachkompetenz hängt vom Wortschatz ab. »
(“Fluency depends on vocabulary.”)

ablehnen (to decline)

« Sie lehnte die Einladung ab. »
(“She declined the invitation.”)

absagen (to cancel)

« Er sagt die Reise ab. »
(“He cancels the trip.”)

Here is a list of the most common separable German verbs with the particle “ab”:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "ab"

German prefix verb	translation
ablehnen	to decline, to reject
ablaufen	to run out, to expire
abnehmen	to take off, to remove
abgeben	to give up
abhängen	to depend
abbrechen	to break off
abwarten	to wait for
ablegen	to take off, to pass an exam
abgehen	to leave, to go off
absagen	to decline, to cancel
abzeichnen	to draw
abrunden	to round off
abstürzen	to crash, to fall
abstreiten	to dispute, to contest
ablösen	to remove, to dissolve
abholen	to fetch, to pick up
abziehen	to withdraw, to deduct
abschließen	to close, to end
absetzen	to set down
abschrecken	to discourage, to intimidate
absteigen	to get off, to descend from
abwenden	to turn away
abfallen	to fall off
abbrennen	to burn down
abbauen	to dismantle
abwechseln	to change
absichern	to safeguard, to secure
abheben	to lift off
abschneiden	to cut off
abraten	to advise against, to discourage from
abweisen	to reject, to dismiss
ablenken	to divert, to distract
abfahren	to go off, to leave
abrücken	to depart, to move away
abliefern	to deliver
abstoßen	to repel
ablassen	to drain, to release
abdecken	to cover
abschweifen	to digress, to stray
absinken	to sink, to fall
abkühlen	to cool off

German separable prefix verbs with the particle “an”

Here are examples of German phrases containing separable verbs with the particle “an”:

anbieten (to offer)

« Die Universität bietet mehrere Deutschkurse an. »
(“The university offers several German classes.”)

anziehen (to attract)

« Die Universität zieht gute Studenten an. »
(“The university attracts good students.”)

Here is a list of the most common separable German verbs with the particle “an”:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "an"

German prefix verb	translation
anbieten	to offer
ankündigen	to announce
anstehen	to stand in line
ankommen	to arrive, to approach
anfangen	to begin, to start
annehmen	to suppose, to accept
ansehen	to look at
anziehen	to put on
anhalten	to stop
andauern	to continue
anhören	to listen to
anrufen	to call on the phone
angehören	to belong to
ansetzen	to implement, to schedule
ansteigen	to increase
angehen	to concern, to start
anschauen	to observe, to look at
ansprechen	to address, to speak to
anfallen	to attack
antreten	to start, to begin
anschließen	to join
anstarren	to stare at
angeben	to supply, to give
anmelden	to sign up, to enroll
anzeigen	to show
anstreben	to seek
anlaufen	to go
angreifen	to attack
anfühlen	to feel
anführen	to lead
anlächeln	to smile
anregen	to encourage, to stimulate
anfordern	to request, to ask
anblicken	to look
anrücken	to arrive, to move in
anbrechen	to break, to commence
anordnen	to order
anlegen	to put on, to set up
anrichten	to cause, to address
anreisen	to travel, to arrive
antreiben	to drive
anwenden	to apply, to utilise
androhen	to threaten
anzünden	to burn, to set on fire
anschlagen	to hit
anwachsen	to grow, to increase
anspornen	to encourage
andeuten	to indicate, to hint
anstecken	to put on, to infect
anmachen	to turn on, to provoke
anlocken	to attract
anschwellen	to swell
anfahren	to start driving
anklagen	to complain, to accuse
anfeuern	to burn, to cheer
anwidern	to disgust
anschreiben	to write
anheben	to raise, to lift
angucken	to watch, to look
anpassen	to adapt

German separable prefix verbs with the particle “auf”

Below are examples of German phrases containing separable verbs with the particle “auf”:

auftreten (to occur, to appear, to perform)

« Sie treten in unterschiedlichen Formen auf. »
(“They appear in different forms.”)

aufgeben (to give up)

« Sie gaben dieses Projekt auf. »
(“They gave up this project.”)

aufhören (to stop)

« Alle hörten auf, Spaß zu haben. »
(“Everyone stopped having fun.”)

Below is a list of the most common separable German verbs with the particle “auf”:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "auf"

German prefix verb	translation
auftreten	to occur
aufgeben	to give up
aufnehmen	to take up
auftauchen	up to come up, to surface
aufgehen	to go up
aufhören	to stop
aufkommen	to come up, to arise
aufbauen	to build
aufweisen	to have, to feature
aufsteigen	to rise, to ascend
aufrufen	to call
auffallen	to fall, to stand out
aufwachsen	to grow up
aufstehen	to stand up
aufatmen	to take a deep breath
auftun	to open up
auflösen	to dissolve, to break up
aufholen	to take up, to catch up up
auflegen	to put up, to hang up
aufwerfen	to raise
aufwachen	to wake up
aufspringen	to jump up
aufspielen	to play
aufrichten	to put up, to erect
aufstellen	to establish, to set up
aufregen	to excite, to stir up
aufschlagen	to break open
aufklären	to clarify, to explain
aufheben	to lift up
aufmachen	to open, to undo
aufhalten	to stop
aufdrehen	to turn on, to unscrew
aufbrechen	to break open
aufrüsten	to rise, to upgrade
aufräumen	to tidy up
aufzeigen	to point out, to show
aufziehen	to raise, to pull open
auffliegen	to fly up
aufleuchten	to light up
aufsetzen	to put on, to stand up
auflockern	to loosen up, to relax
aufschreiben	to write up, to write down
aufschreien	to scream out
aufblühen	to flourish
aufgreifen	to catch, to seize
aufzeichnen	to draw up, to record
aufreißen	to tear open
aufstöhnen	to groan
auffordern	to call upon, to request
auflisten	to list
aufwecken	to wake up

German separable prefix verbs with the particle “aus”

aussehen (to look, to seem)

« Du siehst gut aus heute Abend. »
(“You look nice this evening.”)

auslösen (to trigger)

« Das löst widersprüchliche Gefühle aus. »
(“This triggers contradictory feelings.”)

ausbleiben (to remain)

« Der Erfolg blieb zunächst aus. »
(“Success remained at first.”)

Below is a list of the most common separable German verbs with the particle “aus”:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "aus"

German prefix verb	translation
aussehen	to look, to seem
ausbleiben	to stay out, to not come
ausgehen	to go out
ausfallen	to fail, to be canceled
ausstehen	to stand, to endure
ausreichen	to suffice
auslösen	to trigger
ausmachen	to turn off, to put out
auslaufen	to expire
auszeichnen	to distinguish, to characterise
auszahlen	to pay off
ausschließen	to exclude
ausbrechen	to break out
ausbrennen	to burn out
auswählen	to select, to choose
aussteigen	to get out, to exit
ausscheiden	to eliminate
ausbreiten	to spread
ausbilden	to educate, to form
ausstellen	to exhibit, to put out
aussterben	to become extinct
auskennen	to know a lot about
ausfüllen	to fill out
ausschauen	to look out
ausstrahlen	to radiate, to emanate
aussagen	to state, to say
aussprechen	to pronounce, to express
ausgeben	to spend
auskommen	to get along with
ausziehen	to pull out
ausnutzen	to exploit, to make use of
aushalten	to endure, to withstand
ausdrücken	to express
ausweichen	to avoid, to get out of the way
ausfahren	to drive out
austauschen	to exchange
auswirken	to affect, to have an effect on
ausbauen	to extend, to build out
ausrufen	to exclaim, to call tout
auspacken	to unpack
ausweiten	to extend, to expand
ausgleichen	to equalise, to balance
aussetzen	to expose, or to interrupt
ausrücken	to depart, to march out
auswerten	to evaluate
ausrichten	to align, to rectify
ausholen	to take out, to draw back
ausüben	to exercise, to practise
austreten	to come out, to leave
ausspucken	to put out, to disclose
ausschlagen	to knock out
austrocknen	to dry out
ausführen	to take out, to carry out
auslassen	to leave out
austeilen	to distribute, to hand out
auslachen	to laugh at
ausweisen	to expel, to show
aushelfen	to help out

German separable prefix verbs with the particle “ein”

eintreten (to enter, to occur)

« Er trat in die Sprachschule ein. »
(“He entered the language school.”)

einladen (to invite)

« Wir laden Sie herzlich zur Einweihungsfeier ein. »
(“We invite you to the inauguration ceremony.”)

einstellen (to hire, to take on)

« Die Sprachschule stellt einen neuen Lehrer ein. »
(“The language school hires a new instructor.”)

The most frequently used German separable verbs with the particle “ein” are listed below:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "ein"

German prefix verb	translation
einsetzen	to insert, to put in
einladen	to invite
einlegen	to insert
einstellen	to hire, to take on
eintreten	to enter
einräumen	to put away, to admit
einbüßen	to lose
einziehen	to pull in, to collect
eintreffen	to arrive
einbrechen	to break in
einleiten	to launch, to conduct
einrichten	to set up, to establish
einsteigen	to go up
einnehmen	to take
einfallen	to occur, to invade
eingeben	to hand in, to input
einbringen	to bring in
einschalten	the switch on, to call in
einspringen	to step in, to jump in
einstürzen	to collapse
einfahren	to drive into, to bring in
einschließen	to include
einschlafen	to fall asleep
einholen	to catch up with
einschlagen	to break, to smash
einkehren	to come
eintragen	to endorse, to register
eingreifen	to intervene
einschätzen	to assess, to appraise
einlenken	to back down, to yield
einwilligen	to agree to
einkaufen	to buy
einführen	to introduce
einmischen	to interfere
eingestehen	to acknowledge, to admit
einstimmen	to join in, to agree
einatmen	to inhale
einprägen	to imprint, to impress
einleuchten	to illuminate, to make evident
einreichen	to file, to submit
einschränken	to restrict
einstecken	to pocket, or to suffer
einknicken	to give way, to cave in
einhüllen	to wrap up, to cover
einsammeln	to collect

German separable prefix verbs with the particle “vor”

vorliegen (to be there, to be available)

« Die Prüfungsergebnisse liegen noch nicht vor. »
(“The exam results are not yet available.”)

vorstellen (to present)

« Der Professor stellt das Projekt vor. »
(“The professor is presenting the project.”)

vorbereiten (to prepare)

« Der Lehrer bereitet die Prüfung vor. »
(“The instructor is preparing the exam.”)

vorgeben (to pretend, to claim)

« Er gibt vor, Deutsch zu sprechen. »
(“He pretends to speak German.”)

The most frequently used separable German verbs with the particle “vor” are listed below:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "vor"

German prefix verb	translation
vorliegen	to be present
vorstellen	to put forward, to represent
vorkommen	to occur
vorgehen	to go ahead, to proceed
vorsehen	to plan, to provide
vorwerfen	to accuse, to reproach
vorschlagen	to propose, to suggest
vorlegen	to present
vorrücken	to move forward
vorschreiben	to prescribe, to specify
vorbereiten	to prepare
vorherrschen	to dominate, to predominate
vorfahren	to drive forward
vorgeben	to pretend, to claim
vorfinden	to find
vorlesen	to read out loud
vormachen	to deceive
vornehmen	to make, to undertake
vorziehen	to favor, to prefer
vorhaben	to intend
vorbeugen	to prevent
vorführen	to demonstrate, to show
vorbehalten	to reserve
vortragen	to present, to report on
vorhalten	to hold in front, to last

German separable prefix verbs with the particle “zu”

zuhören (to listen to)

« Er hörte dem Professor zu. »
(“He listened to the professor.”)

The most common German separable verbs with the particle “zu” are listed below:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "zu"

German prefix verb	translation
zulegen	to add to
zunehmen	to increase
zustimmen	to agree
zugehen	to shut
zuhören	to listen
zutreffen	to apply to
zukommen	to come up to
zusagen	to promise
zustehen	to be entitled
zuschauen	to watch
zuschlagen	to hit
zulassen	to allow
zusehen	to watch, to look
zuziehen	to move in, to draw shut
zuspitzen	to sharpen, to aggravate
zugeben	to throw in, to admit
zusichern	to guarantee, to pledge
zumachen	to close, to shut
zutrauen	to thank them capable of
zunicken	to nod
zusenden	to send

More German separable prefix verbs with other particles

The most frequently used German separable verbs with the particle “mit” are listed below:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "mit"

German prefix verb	translation
mitteilen	to share with
mitbringen	to bring along
mitmachen	to participate in, to take part in
mitspielen	to play along
mitnehmen	to take away, to take with
mitfahren	to drive with
mitmischen	to involve
mitkommen	to come with
mithelfen	to help
mitziehen	to keep up
mitarbeiten	to work together, to collaborate
mitgehen	to come along

The most frequently used separable German verbs with the particle “um” are listed below:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "um"

German prefix verb	translation
umdrehen	to turn around
umsehen	to look around
umsetzen	to implement
umziehen	to move
umschlagen	to turn
umschauen	to look around for
umstellen	to surround
umbauen	to rebuild

The most commonly used separable German verbs with the particle “durch” are listed in the table below:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "durch"

German prefix verb	translation
durchführen	to carry out
durchsetzen	to go through, to prevail
durchkommen	to pass, to come through
durchdrehen	to turn through
durchhalten	to hang on, to continue
durchgreifen	to take action, to go through
durchschlagen	to smash, to go through
durchziehen	to pull through
durchgehen	to go through
durchatmen	to breathe deeply
durchfallen	to fall through, to fail

The most commonly used separable German verbs with the particle “zusammen” are listed in the following table:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "zusammen"

German prefix verb	translation
zusammenbrechen	to break down
zusammenkommen	to come together
zusammenarbeiten	to work together
zusammengehören	to belong together
zusammenhängen	to connect, to relate
zusammenpassen	to fit together
zusammenhalten	to keep together
zusammenrücken	to move together, to bunch together
zusammensetzen	to assemble, to put together
zusammenziehen	to shrink, to contract
zusammenleben	to live together
zusammenzucken	to wince, to recoil
zusammenstoßen	to collide

The most common German separable verbs with the particle “nach” are listed below:

Table: list of the most common German prefix verbs with the particle "nach"

German prefix verb	translation
nachgeben	to give in, to yield, to give way
nachdenken	to think, to ponder
nachlassen	to subside, to ease off
nachgehen	to follow
nachkommen	to come after, to follow after
nachschauen	to check, to look and see
nachfragen	to inquire, to ask
nachlegen	to put on more, to add more
nachholen	to make up for, to catch up on
nachmachen	to copy, to duplicate
nachsetzen	to place after
nachlaufen	to run after