Phrasal Verbs For Intermediate learners

What is a Phrasal Verb?

A phrasal verb is a combination of a core verb and a prefix. The added prefix changes the original meaning of the core verb.

kommen (to come) → +an = ankommen (to arrive)

sehen (to see) → +an = ansehen (to look at)

sehen (to see) → +ver = versehen (to make a mistake)

Phrasal Verbs in German

There are three types of phrasal verbs in German:

Separable Prefix Verbs (Trennbare Verben)

Inseparable Prefix Verbs (Untrennbare Verben)

Dual Prefix Verbs (Wechselpräfixe)

Separable Prefix Verbs (Trennbare Verben)

These verbs are the most common ones and their function is like English phrasal verbs.

Here are some of the common separable prefixes:

an-	ab-
ein-	aus-
vor-	nach-
auf-	zurück-
zu-	mit-

When the stem of the verb is conjugated in the present and simple past tense, the prefix gets separated and moves to the end of the sentence.

[prefix + verb → Conjugated Verb + ... + prefix]

Example

Der Film fängt um 8 Uhr an.

The movie starts at 8 o'clock.

an + fangen → anfangen (to start)

Example

Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf.

I get up at 7 o'clock.

auf + stehen → aufstehen (to get up)

Example

Du brings deinen Freund mit.

You bring your friend along.

mit + bringen → mitbringen (to bring along)

Past Participle

When forming the past participle, the prefix "ge-" is placed between the prefix and the verb stem.

[prefix + ge + verb stem + t/en]

Example

anfangen → angefangt (started)

aufstehen → aufgestanden (got up)

zumachen → zugemacht (closed)

Example

Ich habe das Fenster zugemacht.

I have closed the window.

Inseparable Prefix Verbs (Untrennbare Verben)

The prefix is always attached to the verb and does not move to the end of the sentence when the verb is conjugated.

Here are some of the common inseparable prefixes:

be-	ent-
ge-	zer-
emp-	er-
ver-	miss-

Example

Ich besuche meine Oma.

I visit my grandma.

besuchen (to visit)

Verstehst du die Frage?

Do you understand the question?

verstehen (to understand)

Sie erzählt eine Geschichte.

She tells a story.

erzählen (to tell)

Past Participle

Inseparable verbs don't get the ge- prefix when they become past participle.

[prefix + verb stem + t/en]

Example

besuchen → besucht (visited)

verstehen → verstanden (understood)

erzählen → erzählt (told)

Example

Ich habe meine Oma besucht.

I have visited my grandma.

Dual Prefix Verbs (Wechselpräfixe)

These are special verbs that are mostly related to movement. They can be separable or inseparable, and their meanings change based on that.

Here are the prefixes for dual Prefix Verbs:

durch-

hinter-

über-

um-

unter-

voll-

wieder-

Example

Sie schaut durch das Fernglas durch.

She looks through the binoculars.

durchschauen (separable) → to look through something (literally)

Ich durchschaue seinen Plan sofort.