A1 - Lesson 37 | Trennbare Verben | Separable verbs | Learn German for beginners

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the concept of separable verbs in German, as presented in Lesson 37 from the Learn German YouTube channel. Understanding separable verbs is crucial for constructing sentences correctly in German. By the end of this guide, you'll know what separable verbs are, how to use them in sentences, and be familiar with some common examples.

Step 1: Understanding Separable Verbs

Separable verbs in German are verbs that consist of a base verb and a prefix that can be detached when forming sentences.

• Definition: A separable verb is formed by combining a verb with a prefix. When used in a sentence, the prefix is separated from the verb.
• Examples:
  • “abholen” (to pick up) becomes “Ich hole ab” (I pick up).
  • “aufstehen” (to get up) becomes “Ich stehe auf” (I get up).

Step 2: Sentence Structure with Separable Verbs

The position of the verb in a sentence changes when using separable verbs.

• Main Clause: The prefix goes to the end of the sentence.
  • Example: “Ich stehe um sieben Uhr auf.” (I get up at seven o’clock.)
• Questions: The verb appears in its conjugated form at the beginning, followed by the subject.
  • Example: “Wann stehst du auf?” (When do you get up?)

Step 3: Conjugation of Separable Verbs

To use separable verbs correctly, you need to conjugate them based on the subject of the sentence.

• Conjugation Pattern:

  1. Identify the subject (ich, du, er/sie/es, wir, ihr, sie).
  2. Conjugate the base verb according to the subject.
  3. Place the prefix at the end of the sentence.

• Example:

  • For “aufstehen”:
    • Ich stehe auf.
    • Du stehst auf.
    • Er/Sie/Es steht auf.
    • Wir stehen auf.
    • Ihr steht auf.
    • Sie stehen auf.

Step 4: Common Separable Verbs to Learn

Familiarize yourself with some essential separable verbs to enhance your conversational skills.

• List of Common Separable Verbs:
  • abfahren (to depart)
  • ankommen (to arrive)
  • aufmachen (to open)
  • mitkommen (to come with)
  • zuschauen (to watch)

Conclusion

In this tutorial, you learned about separable verbs in German, including their structure, how to conjugate them, and some common examples. Practicing these concepts will help you form correct sentences and improve your German speaking and writing skills. For further practice, consider revisiting the video for exercises or exploring additional resources on separable verbs. Happy learning!