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While separable verbs split apart when conjugated, inseparable verbs (untrennbare Verben) keep their prefix attached at all times. The prefix is never stressed and never moves to the end of the sentence. Knowing the difference between separable and inseparable prefixes is crucial for correct German.
There are eight common inseparable prefixes. They must be memorised:
| Prefix | Example Verb | English |
|---|---|---|
| be- | besuchen | to visit |
| emp- | empfehlen | to recommend |
| ent- | entscheiden | to decide |
| er- | erzählen | to tell/narrate |
| ge- | gehören | to belong |
| miss- | missverstehen | to misunderstand |
| ver- | verstehen | to understand |
| zer- | zerstören | to destroy |
Memory Aid: The mnemonic "Be-Emp-Ent-Er-Ge-Miss-Ver-Zer" covers all eight. Some learners remember it as a sentence fragment: "Be empty, enter, er gets miss very zero."
| Feature | Separable Verb | Inseparable Verb |
|---|---|---|
| Prefix position | Moves to end of clause | Stays attached to verb |
| Stress | On the prefix: AUFstehen | On the verb stem: verSTEhen |
| Past participle | ge- between prefix and stem: aufgestanden | No ge-: verstanden |
Inseparable verbs conjugate normally — the prefix never moves:
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | verstehe |
| du | verstehst |
| er/sie/es | versteht |
| wir | verstehen |
| ihr | versteht |
| sie/Sie | verstehen |
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | beginne |
| du | beginnst |
| er/sie/es | beginnt |
| wir | beginnen |
| ihr | beginnt |
| sie/Sie | beginnen |
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | empfehle |
| du | empfiehlst |
| er/sie/es | empfiehlt |
| wir | empfehlen |
| ihr | empfehlt |
| sie/Sie | empfehlen |
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