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op- af- aan- uit- mee-
prefix → end of sentence
ge- between prefix + stem
subclauses stay together
boltKey Rule
Separable verbs are prefix + verb (e.g. op + bellen = opbellen). In a main clause, the prefix detaches and jumps to the end. In subclauses and infinitive phrases, the verb stays together. Past participle inserts ge- between prefix and stem: op + ge + beld = opgebeld.
Common Separable Verbs
opbellen
to call (by phone)
Ik bel je morgen op.
I'll call you tomorrow.
meenemen
to take along
Neem je je tas mee?
Are you taking your bag?
aankomen
to arrive
De trein komt om 3 uur aan.
The train arrives at 3.
uitgaan
to go out
We gaan vanavond uit.
We're going out tonight.
afwassen
to wash dishes
Was jij de borden af?
Can you wash the dishes?
instappen
to get on (bus/train)
We stappen hier in.
We get on here.
The 4 Rules
Rule 1
Main clause: prefix flies to the end
The conjugated verb stays in position 2. The prefix detaches and moves to the very last slot.
Normal
Ik
bel
mijn moeder
elke dag
op
.
I call my mother every day.
Inverted
Morgen
bel
ik
haar
op
.
Tomorrow I'll call her. (prefix still goes to the end!)
Rule 2
Subclause: verb stays together at the end
In subclauses, the full separable verb — prefix attached — moves as a unit to the end.
Correct
Ik
weet
dat
hij
haar elke dag
opbelt.
I know that he calls her every day. (opbelt = together at end)
Wrong
hij
belt
haar elke dag
op.
✗
Do not split in subclauses.
Rule 3
With modal verbs: infinitive stays together at the end
After modals (willen, kunnen, moeten…), the full separable verb stays together and moves to the end.
Modal
Ik
wil
je morgen
opbellen.
I want to call you tomorrow. (opbellen stays together)
om…te
Het
is
moeilijk
om
op te bellen.
It is difficult to call. (om…te: prefix + te + stem)
Rule 4
Past participle: ge- goes between prefix and stem
Unlike regular verbs where ge- precedes the whole word, separable verbs insert ge- between prefix and stem.
Perfect
Ik
heb
haar
opgebeld.
I called her. (op + ge + beld = opgebeld)
Motion
We
zijn
gisteren
aangekomen.
We arrived yesterday. (aan + ge + komen = aangekomen)
ge- Rule
Regular: ge- + stem + d/t —
Separable: prefix +
ge- + stem + d/t / en
opbellen → op + ge + beld = opgebeld
aankomen → aan + ge + komen = aangekomen
meenemen → mee + ge + nomen = meegenomen
uitstappen → uit + ge + stapt = uitgestapt
Common Separable Prefixes
| Prefix | General meaning | Example verbs |
|---|
| op- | up / open / start | opbellenopstaanopenenopeten |
| aan- | on / arriving | aankomenaandoenaantrekken |
| uit- | out / off / finished | uitgaanuitdoenuitstappenuitlezen |
| af- | off / away / done | afwassenafgevenafmaken |
| mee- | along / together | meenemenmeegaanmeedoen |
| in- | in / entering | instappeninvulleninrijden |
| terug- | back / return | terugkomenteruggaanteruggeven |
| door- | through / continue | doorgaandoorlezendoorwerken |