Dutch separable verbs are action words that split into two parts when you use them in a sentence.

The pattern for this grammar rule is actually very predictable.

Once you understand how the prefix moves, you’ll recognize these verbs everywhere.

Let’s look at exactly how to construct sentences with Dutch separable verbs.

What are Dutch separable verbs?

A separable verb (scheidbaar werkwoord) is a verb made of two parts.

It consists of a prefix and a basic verb.

The prefix is usually a small preposition like aan (on), uit (out), or op (up).

When combined, they create a brand new meaning.

English has something similar called phrasal verbs.

For example, “to clean” means one thing, but “to clean up” means something slightly different.

In Dutch, these two parts are written as one single word in the dictionary.

A good example is the verb schoonmaken (to clean).

It combines schoon (clean) and maken (to make).

How to use them in the present tense

In a normal present tense sentence, the verb splits into two pieces.

The main verb takes the second position in the sentence.

You then conjugate this main verb just like you normally would.

The prefix detaches and moves to the very end of the sentence.

Let’s look at the verb uitnodigen (to invite) as an example.

The verb part is nodigen and the prefix is uit.

Notice how uit sits at the very end of the phrase.

Here’s another example with aankomen (to arrive).

Using them with modal verbs

Things change when you add a modal verb to the sentence.

Dutch modal verbs include words like willen (to want), kunnen (can), and moeten (must).

When you use a modal verb, the modal verb takes the second position in the sentence.

The separable verb then moves to the very end of the sentence.

It doesn’t split apart.

Instead, the prefix and the verb stay glued together as one word.

Let’s look at opstaan (to stand up / get up) used with a modal verb.

How to form the past tense

You’ll also need to use separable verbs in the present perfect tense.

This is the tense used for events that happened in the past.

Normally, past participles in Dutch get a ge- added to the front.

With separable verbs, the ge- goes right in the middle.

It gets squeezed between the prefix and the basic verb.

They remain written together as one single word.

For example, the past participle of schoonmaken becomes schoongemaakt.

The past participle of aankomen becomes aangekomen.

The auxiliary verb (hebben or zijn) goes in the second position.

The past participle goes at the very end of the sentence.

Common separable verbs you should know

There are hundreds of separable verbs in the Dutch language.

You’ll encounter them constantly in everyday conversations.

Here’s a helpful table of the most common ones you should memorize.