Grammar · A1 · Word order
Separable verbs
In present, the prefix goes to the end: Ich steige um. With a modal, they stay together: Ich muss umsteigen. Café tip: mitnehmen → Ich nehme mit / zum Mitnehmen.
Bridges
EN separable prefixes
PT verbos com prefixo separável
ES verbos separables
FR verbes à particule
Forms: Present vs with modal
.
I change (trains).
prefix at end
.
I have to change.
prefix stays on infinitive
.
The doors open.
?
When do you arrive?
Forms: Perfekt & common pairs
→
changed trains
sein + ge between
→
arrived
→
got off
→
opened
haben for most non-motion
/ /
board / depart / close
Examples
.
I change at Neukölln.
?
Where do I get off?
!
Please board!
announcement infinitive
.
The train arrives at nine.
.
Please open the window.
.
We just arrived.
?
When does the S-Bahn leave?
Common mistakes
- Leaving the prefix attached in present (*Ich umsteige*).
- Splitting after a modal (*Ich muss um steigen*).
- Forgetting common pairs: einsteigen / aussteigen / umsteigen / aufmachen.
- In Perfekt: forgetting ge between prefix and stem (*umstiegen* → umgestiegen).
When you use it in Berlin
U-Bahn life: Hier umsteigen. Bitte aussteigen. Die Türen schließen — mach auf / zu in casual speech.
Quick check
1/3
Infinitive after müssen:
___.