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)
widert?nen (sep., echo)
wieder- again wiedergeben (insep., restore, give back; recite, perform; represent, reproduce, convey)
wiederkehren (sep., return, repeat, recur)
wiedersehen (sep., see/meet again)
Note: All of the dual verb prefixes are stressed when separable, unstressed when inseparable: übersetzen (ferry across) vs. übersetzen (translate).