A Dutch separable verb has a prefix that can move away from its verb. With opbellen, the simple statement Ik bel je morgen op places op near the end. Learn the whole verb and a sentence showing the split.
Compare the sentence shapes
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Main clause | Ik bel je morgen op. |
| Question | Bel je me morgen op? |
| With a modal | Ik wil je morgen opbellen. |
| Subordinate clause | … omdat ik je morgen opbel. |
In the simple main clause, bel is the finite verb and op is separated. In the modal example, wil carries the conjugation and opbellen remains an infinitive. In the subordinate example, opbel stays together at the end. More complex verb clusters have additional word-order possibilities.
Practise changing one sentence
- Choose one familiar separable verb and confirm its dictionary form.
- Say a short statement, then turn it into a question.
- Add wil or kan and notice what happens to the infinitive.
- Use the verb in an answer about your own day.
For practice, try opstaan with a time you wake up, meenemen with an object you carry, and terugkomen with a time you return. Keep examples short enough that you can hear whether the prefix arrived.
Keep the whole verb in your deck
When reading, look beyond the first verb you see. The prefix later in the sentence can change the meaning. Check a doubtful match rather than collecting the stem alone. Spreek shows separable-verb details on dictionary cards and can bring selected vocabulary into tutor conversations.
FAQ
Does every prefixed Dutch verb split?
No. Some prefixes are inseparable, and some forms depend on meaning and stress. Use the dictionary entry and a full example sentence.
Why did I recognise the verb but forget the prefix when speaking?
Recognising a full form on a card is a different task from building a sentence. Practise short spoken sentences that require both parts.
