Separable verbs

Some verbs split in two: in a main clause the prefix breaks off and lands at the end of the clause. Miss it and the sentence changes meaning.

The prefix that jumps to the end

Many common verbs are built from a small prefix plus a base verb: op + stoen = opstoen (to get up), un + fänken = ufänken (to begin), mat + maachen = matmaachen (to join in). In an ordinary main clause that prefix breaks off and moves to the very end of the clause, while the base verb is conjugated in second position.

So 'opstoen' turns into 'Ech stinn … op'. Everything else in the sentence sits between the verb and its stranded prefix.

Ech stinn um siwen Auer op.	I get up at seven o'clock.	opstoen → stinn … op.
De Cours fänkt um aacht Auer un.	The class begins at eight.	ufänken → fänkt … un.

Main clauses and questions: prefix goes last

Because the prefix carries much of the meaning, learners often forget it — and 'Ech stinn um siwen Auer' without 'op' loses the sense entirely. Always finish the clause with the prefix.

In yes/no questions, and after a fronted time phrase, the same thing happens: the base verb moves to the front or to second position, and the prefix waits at the end.

Wéini steis du op?	When do you get up?	Question: verb fronted, prefix last.
Muer kafen ech am Supermarché an.	Tomorrow I'll do the shopping at the supermarket.	akafen → kafen … an.
Méchs du muer mat?	Are you joining in tomorrow?	matmaachen → méchs … mat.

Try it

Ech stinn all Dag um sechs Auer . (opstoen)

The prefix of a separable verb goes to the end of a main clause.

When the prefix stays attached

The prefix only detaches when the verb is conjugated in a main clause. It stays joined in two important places. First, in the infinitive — for example after a modal: 'Ech muss fréi opstoen.' Second, in a subordinate clause (after 'datt', 'well', 'wann' …), where the whole verb travels together to the end: 'Ech weess, datt hie fréi opsteet.'

Ech muss muer fréi opstoen.	I have to get up early tomorrow.	Infinitive after a modal → stays joined.
Kënns du haut den Owend matkommen?	Can you come along tonight?	Infinitive → 'matkommen' stays joined.
Ech weess, datt de Cours um aacht Auer ufänkt.	I know that the class begins at eight.	Subordinate clause → 'ufänkt' joined at the end.

Try it

Ech weess, datt de Cours um aacht Auer . (ufänken)

In a subordinate clause the whole verb, prefix attached, goes to the end.

Everyday separable verbs

Here are separable verbs you will need in the exam. Notice a spelling twist that ties into the Eifeler Regel: the prefixes 'un-' and 'an-' lose their -n in the joined infinitive (before a consonant), which is why we write 'ufänken' and 'akafen' — but the full 'un' / 'an' returns when the prefix stands alone at the end: 'fänkt … un', 'kafen … an'.

opstoen — ech stinn op	to get up
akafen — ech kafen an	to shop / go shopping
ufänken — ech fänken un	to begin, to start
matmaachen — ech maache mat	to join in, take part	'maachen' drops its -n before 'mat' (Eifeler Regel).
matkommen — ech komme mat	to come along