Separable verbs
A2 Scheidbare werkwoorden 27 / 48
In short
A separable verb is one word made of a stressed prefix + a verb (e.g. opbellen “to call up”). In a main clause the prefix splits off and jumps to the end; it stays attached in the infinitive, in subordinate clauses, in the participle (ge- slips inside: opgebeld), and with te (op te bellen).
The rule
The key is stress: in a separable verb the prefix is stressed (ÓPbellen, MÉÉkomen). That stressed prefix is removable.
- Main clause (V2): the conjugated verb takes position 2; the prefix flies to the end of the clause. Ik bel je vanavond op.
- Question / inversion: same thing - the prefix still goes to the end. Kom je mee?
- Infinitive: the verb is written as one word (after a modal, gaan, willen, te…). Ik wil je opbellen.
- Subordinate clause: the whole verb stays joined and goes to the end. …, omdat ik je morgen opbel.
- Participle: insert ge- between prefix and stem -> opgebeld, meegekomen.
- te + infinitive: te goes between prefix and stem -> op te bellen.
Forms & patterns
Using opbellen (to call up) as the model:
| Context | Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Main clause (present) | prefix -> end | Ik bel je op. |
| Question / inversion | prefix -> end | Bel je me op? |
| Negation | prefix after niet | Ik bel hem niet op. |
| Infinitive (one word) | prefix + stem | Ik wil je opbellen. |
| Subordinate clause | joined, at the end | …, dat ik je opbel. |
| Perfect (participle) | prefix + ge + stem | Ik heb je opgebeld. |
| te + infinitive | prefix + te + stem | Ik probeer je op te bellen. |
Common separable prefixes (each adds meaning - learn them with the verb):
| Prefix | Verb | Participle | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| op | opbellen | opgebeld | to call up |
| aan | aankomen | aangekomen | to arrive |
| uit | uitgaan | uitgegaan | to go out |
| mee | meekomen | meegekomen | to come along |
| af | afwassen | afgewassen | to wash up |
| in | invullen | ingevuld | to fill in |
| terug | terugbellen | teruggebeld | to call back |
| voor | voorstellen | voorgesteld | to introduce / suggest |
| weg | weggaan | weggegaan | to leave |
| door | doorgaan | doorgegaan | to continue |
Examples
| Nederlands | English |
|---|---|
| Ik bel je vanavond op. | I’ll call you up tonight. |
| Kom je morgen mee? | Are you coming along tomorrow? |
| Hij staat elke dag om zeven uur op. | He gets up at seven every day. |
| We gaan vanavond uit. | We’re going out tonight. |
| Ze is blij, omdat ik haar elke dag opbel. | She’s happy, because I call her up every day. |
| Heb je hem al opgebeld? | Have you called him yet? |
| Vergeet niet de tv uit te zetten. | Don’t forget to turn off the TV. |
| Wanneer kom je terug? | When are you coming back? |
Common mistakes
- Ik opbel je. -> Ik bel je op. - In a main clause the prefix must split off and go to the end.
- Ik heb je geopbeld. -> Ik heb je opgebeld. - ge- goes inside, between prefix and stem, never in front.
- Ik wil je op bellen. -> Ik wil je opbellen. - The infinitive is one word; don’t split it.
- …, omdat ik je bel op. -> …, omdat ik je opbel. - In a subordinate clause the verb stays joined at the very end.
- Ik probeer je opbellen te / op bellen te. -> Ik probeer je op te bellen. - te slips between prefix and stem.
Tips
- Stress test: if the prefix is stressed (ÓPbellen, ÁFwassen), the verb is separable. If the stem is stressed (beTÁlen, verKÓpen), it is inseparable -> see lesson 28.
- In a main clause the prefix “flies to the end” - it is often the last word, even after long objects and adverbs.
- Two little words sneak inside the verb: ge- (participle) and te (te-infinitive). Everything else keeps prefix and stem together.
- Always learn the prefix together with the verb, because the prefix carries the meaning (gaan = to go, but uitgaan = to go out, doorgaan = to continue).