Compound Verbs — Zusammengesetzte Verben
📺 Instructional Video
An instructional video explaining this grammar topic with practical examples.
🎯 Lesson Goals
- Understand what compound (separable and inseparable) verbs are.
- Learn how the verb stem is positioned in a sentence (verb bracket).
- Distinguish between separable and inseparable prefixes.
- Apply the rule in everyday sentences.
📚 Core Rule
Compound verbs consist of a prefix + verb stem.
- Separable verbs (trennbare Verben): the prefix moves to the end of the clause in main clauses.
- Inseparable verbs (untrennbare Verben): the prefix stays attached to the verb.
Overview Table
| Verb (with prefix) | Separable? | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| aufstehen (steht auf) | Yes | to get up |
| einladen (lädt ein) | Yes | to invite |
| verstehen | No | to understand |
| bekommen | No | to receive |
📝 Example Sentences
- Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. — I get up at 7 o’clock.
- Wir laden unsere Freunde ein. — We invite our friends.
- Sie versteht das Problem. — She understands the problem.
- Er bekommt ein Geschenk. — He receives a gift.
📖 Related Lessons
🔤 Lektion 3: In unserer Freizeit — In Our Free Time
🔤 Exercises Lektion 3: In unserer Freizeit (In Our Free Time)
📝 Exercises
✏️ Fill in the blank with the correct word: Write only one word in each field.
| # | Sentence (missing prefix) | Answer |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ich ____ um 6 Uhr. (stehen) | |
| 2 | Wir ____ dich zum Essen. (einladen) | |
| 3 | He ____ das Wort. (verstehen) | |
| 4 | She ____ ein neues Auto. (bekommen) |
✏️ Fill in the blank with the correct word: Write only one word in each field.
| # | Rewrite the sentence with the correct verb form |
|---|---|
| 1 | Um 8 Uhr ___ I. |
| 2 | My mother ___ the guests. |
| 3 | I ___ the task not. |
| 4 | We ___ a letter. |