Separable Verbs

Trennbare Verben

You've already used einkaufen and anrufen in earlier lessons' concept, without the grammar behind them. Today's rule explains one of German's most distinctive structures: verbs that split into two pieces across a sentence.

Prefix + base verb, split apart

einkaufen (to shop) = ein- + kaufen. Conjugate the base verb as usual (Lesson 3's -e/-st/-t pattern), and send the prefix to the very end of the sentence:

Ich kaufe heute ein. (I'm shopping today.)
Ich rufe den Arzt an. (I'm calling the doctor.)
Ich stehe um sieben auf. (I get up at seven.)

The dictionary form always shows the prefix attached at the front - einkaufen, anrufen, aufstehen. Splitting only happens once you actually conjugate it in a statement. Full list: Reference - Separable Verbs.

After a modal verb: no split needed

Remember from Lesson 11 that a modal verb pushes the main verb's infinitive to the end. When that main verb happens to be separable, it just stays whole - there's already an infinitive slot waiting for it:

Ich möchte heute einkaufen. (whole, not split)

Quick recall check

Primary source

Cross-checked against the Goethe-Institut A1 practice materials.

Come across a separable verb you're unsure how to split? Ask your teaching agent to walk through it.