German conjugation explanation

Verbs with separable and inseparable prefixes

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Some German verbs have prefixes that can be <strong>either separable or inseparable</strong>, depending on their meaning. The prefix of these verbs can be: <strong>durch-, hinter-, um-, über-, unter-, voll-</strong> or <strong>wieder-</strong>. Often, the prefix is inseparable when the meaning is figurative and transitive (=it has an object), but it's not always predictable. Let's see a few examples:

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<div><strong>DURCHZIEHEN (inseparable):</strong> to run through, to pervade</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Banden und Horden <span class="green_emphasis">durchzogen</span> das Land. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Gangs and hordes roamed the country.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>DURCHZIEHEN (separable):</strong> topull through</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Wir <span class="green_emphasis">ziehen</span> das <span class="green_emphasis">durch</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">We're going to pull this off.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>UMGEHEN (inseparable):</strong> to avoid</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Er <span class="green_emphasis">umging</span> es, den Tod ihres Mannes anzusprechen. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He avoided mentioning her husband's death.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>UMGEHEN (separable) + mit:</strong> to handle, to deal with</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Wie <span class="green_emphasis">gehen</span> Sie mit Konflikten <span class="green_emphasis">um</span>? (<span style="font-style: italic;">How do you deal with conflicts?</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>ÜBERGEHEN (inseparable):</strong> to skip, to ignore</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence"><span class="green_emphasis">Übergeh</span> so eine Beleidigung einfach. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Just ignore such an insult.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>ÜBERGEHEN (separable):</strong> to change, to transition</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Regen <span class="green_emphasis">ging</span> in Schnee <span class="green_emphasis">über</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">Rain turned into snow.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>ÜBERSETZEN (inseparable):</strong> to translate, to interpret</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Ich bin Übersetzer. Ich <span class="green_emphasis">übersetze</span> Bücher. (<span style="font-style: italic;">I am a translator. I translate books.</span>)</div>

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<div><strong>ÜBERSETZEN (separable):</strong> to cross, cross over, to traverse</div>

<div class="conjugation_explanation_example_sentence">Er <span class="green_emphasis">setzte</span> nach England <span class="green_emphasis">über</span>. (<span style="font-style: italic;">He crossed over to England.</span>)</div>

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