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In the finite form, the prefix separates from the stem verb and goes to the end
of the clause, the position of the verb complement: "Die Zge fahren ohne Halt
durch" (The trains run through without stopping).
The prefix does not affect the verb's conjugation (e.g., "Die Zge fuhren ohne
Halt durch" [The trains ran through without stopping]).
If the verb is in the form of an infinitive with "zu", the "zu" comes between the
prefix and the original verb: "Er versucht durchzufahren" (He tries to drive
straight through).
In many cases, a verb with a prefix can have two forms: one in which the prefix
is separable, and one in which it is inseparable. Here is the distinction between
prefixes that are either separable or inseparable.
Please keep this area clear for arriving and departing hotel guests.
"an-":
The prefix "an-" usually carries the meanings "at," "begin," "on,"
"onward," "to," or "toward". Some of the many possibilities:
"auf-":
The prefix "auf-" adds the meanings "on," "open," "out," "up," or
"un-":
"frei-":
"frei-" means "free" or "clear":
"gleich-:"
"gleich-" means "equal":
A good used-car saleman can win over anybody [make him or her come around].
"herunter-" means "down" or "downwards" (towards the speaker):
Despondent, sad, hopeless, sleeping badly? Then you might be suffering from depression.
"nieder-":
"nieder-" means "down" or "lower":
"statt-":
"statt-" does not have a specific meaning as a prefix and appears in
just two verbs:
"sich umhren" (to keep one's ears open); "sich umfragen" (to ask
around); "sich umsehen / umschauen" (to look around).
"vor-":
"vor-"has the meanings "before," "forward," "pre-," and "pro-":
"sich vorarbeiten" (to work one's way forward); "vorbauen" (to make
provision); "vorbehalten" (to reserve); "vorbereiten" (to prepare);
"vorbeugen" (to prevent; to bend forward); "vorbringen" (to propose;
to bring forward; to produce); "vordrngen" (to push forward);
"vorfahren" (to drive on ahead; to drive up in front [of a building]);
"vorfallen" (to happen); "vorfhren" (to bring forward; to perform);
"vorgeben" (to pretend); "vorgehen" (to proceed; to go first);
"vorlegen" (to present); "jemandem vorgreifen" (to jump in ahead of
someone); "vorhaben" (to intend); "vorherrschen" (to predominate);
"vorkommen" (to happen; to seem); "vorladen" (to summon);
"vorlegen" (to present; to place before); "vorneigen" (to lean forward);
"vorprogrammieren" (to pre-program); "vorrcken" (to move forward);
"vorschlagen" (to propose; to suggest); "vorsetzen" (to put before);
"vorsingen" (to sing [in front of people]); "vorsorge" (to make
provisions); "vorspielen" (to play [music in front of people]);
"vortragen" (to perform; to present [a speech, song, etc.]); "vorziehen"
(to prefer; to pull forward; to draw [a curtain]).
"voran-," "voraus-," "vorbei-," "vorber-, "vorweg-":
Further modifications can be made to "vor-"
"voran-" means "ahead":
""weiter-":
"weiter-" means "further" (see also "fort-"):
""zu-":
"zu-" means "closed," "to," "towards," "upon":