Dual or Variable Prefixes
Separable/Inseparable Prefixes
(Can be either one or the other) |
| Prefix |
Meaning |
Examples |
| durch- |
through |
durchdringen (sep., penetrate)
durchfahren (sep., drive through)
durchfressen (insep., eat through [acid, rust, etc.]) |
| hinter- |
behind |
hinterlassen (insep., leave; bequeath)
hinterlassen (sep., allow s.o. to go behind) |
| über- |
over, across |
überfahren (insep., run over)
überfahren (sep., ferry across, cross over)
überfallen (insep., attack, hold up [a bank])
übersetzen (insep., translate)
übersetzen (sep., ferry across)
überwinden (insep., overcome) |
| um- |
around |
umarmen (insep., embrace, hug)
umbauen (sep., renovate, convert)
umbauen (insep., enclose, surround)
umbinden (sep., tie on)
umkehren (sep., turn back, turn inside out)
umschreiben (sep., rewrite, transcribe)
umschreiben (insep., paraphrase, outline; skate around [fig.])
umziehen (sep., move [to new residence], change [clothes]) |
| unter- |
down |
unterbrechen (insep., interrupt, disconnect)
unterbringen (sep., accomodate)
unterdrücken (insep., oppress, repress, suppress)
untergehen (sep., sink, perish)
unternehmen (insep., do, undertake)
unterwerfen (insep., conquer, subjugate)
unterzeichnen (insep., sign [a document]) |
| wider- |
against, re- |
widerklingen (sep., resound)
widerlegen (insep., refute, disprove)
widerraten (insep., advise/counsel against)
widersprechen (insep., contradict)
widertönen (sep., echo) |
| wieder- |
again |
wiedergeben (insep., restore, give back; recite, perform; represent, reproduce, convey)
wiederkehren (sep., return, repeat, recur)
wiedersehen (sep., see/meet again)
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| Note: All of the dual verb prefixes are stressed when separable, unstressed when inseparable: übersetzen (ferry across) vs. übersetzen (translate). | |
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