11.6 Separable verb prefixes
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Makes verbs from verbs with the idea of ‘wrongly’ or ‘to excess’: verbiegen verlernen versalzen
bend out of shape forget how to do (unlearn) over-salt (put excessive salt on)
← biegen ← lernen ← salzen
Makes verbs from nouns or adjectives to express a change of state (i.e. ‘becoming sth.’ or ‘making sb. sth.’): versklaven verlängern vereinfachen
← der Sklave ← länger ← einfach
enslave lengthen simplify
Makes verbs from nouns with the idea of providing somebody or something with something: verglasen verzaubern
glaze (provide with glass) enchant (make magical)
← das Glas ← der Zauber
Zer Makes verbs from verbs with the idea of ‘in pieces’: zerbeißen zerfallen
bite into pieces fall to pieces, disintegrate
← beißen ← fallen
11.6 Separable verb prefixes Verbs can be formed from other verbs by SEPARABLE PREFIXES (see also 6.4). Most separable verb prefixes come from PREPOSITIONS or simple ADVERBS, and their meaning when linked with a root verb is often quite obvious, e.g. abfahren ‘drive away’, hinauslaufen ‘run out’, mitkommen ‘come with sb.’.
These prefixes are stressed. In the simple tenses (PRESENT,
PAST), the prefix separates from the verb ROOT if it is in a main clause, and is placed at the end of the clause.
In the PAST PARTICIPLE the syllable ge- is inserted between the prefix and the verb. In INFINITIVE CLAUSES (see 10.6), zu is inserted between the prefix and the verb. Er lief im Schlafanzug hinaus. Sie hat vorgeschlagen ihn heute abend einzuladen.
He ran outside in his pyjamas. She suggested inviting him this evening.
