First, here is a full list of the separable Dutch verbs. Search and filter them all. The English translation is included in the table.
| Dutch separable verb | English Translation |
|---|---|
| aanbevelen | to recommend |
| aanbieden | to offer |
| aanblijven | to stay on |
| aandoen | to put on (clothes) |
| aanhouden | to arrest/persist |
| aankomen | to arrive |
| aanmaken | to create |
| aanmelden | to log in/register |
| aanpassen | to adjust |
| aanraden | to recommend |
| aanraken | to touch |
| aansluiten | to connect |
| aansporen | to encourage |
| aansteken | to light (a fire) |
| aantrekken | to attract |
| aanvoeren | to lead |
| aanzetten | to turn on |
| afblijven | to keep off |
| afbreken | to break off, tear down |
| afdrukken | to print |
| afhalen | to pick up |
| afkoelen | to cool down |
| afleiden | to distract |
| afleveren | to deliver |
| aflopen | to end |
| afmaken | to finish |
| afmelden | to log off |
| afnemen | to decrease |
| afrekenen | to settle (a bill) |
| afschaffen | to abolish |
| afschermen | to shield |
| afschrijven | to write off |
| afspreken | to make an appointment |
| afvallen | to lose weight, fall off |
| afvragen | to wonder |
| afwassen | to wash up/do dishes |
| afwegen | to weigh (options) |
| afwerken | to finish up |
| afzetten | to drop off |
| bijdragen | to contribute |
| bijhouden | to keep up |
| bijleggen | to resolve (a conflict) |
| bijstaan | to assist |
| binnenbrengen | to bring inside |
| binnenhalen | to bring in |
| binnenkomen | to come in |
| binnenlopen | to walk in |
| buitensluiten | to exclude |
| doorbreken | to break through |
| doorbrengen | to spend time |
| doorgeven | to pass on |
| doorlopen | to walk through/pass through |
| doorstaan | to endure |
| doorsturen | to forward (a message) |
| doorwerken | to continue working |
| doorzetten | to persevere |
| doorzoeken | to search through |
| inhalen | to overtake |
| inhouden | to contain |
| inleiden | to introduce |
| inleveren | to hand in |
| inlopen | to walk in |
| inpakken | to pack (e.g., luggage) |
| inschakelen | to activate |
| instellen | to configure |
| invoegen | to insert |
| invoeren | to input/introduce |
| langskomen | to pass by |
| langslopen | to walk past |
| meebrengen | to bring along |
| meedoen | to participate |
| meekomen | to come along |
| meelopen | to walk along |
| meeluisteren | to listen along |
| meespelen | to play along |
| meevallen | to exceed expectations |
| neerleggen | to lay down |
| omkleden | to change clothes |
| onderbrengen | to accommodate |
| opbellen | to call (on the phone) |
| opblazen | to inflate/blow up |
| opbouwen | to build up |
| opdragen | to dedicate |
| opgaan | to go up |
| opgeven | to give up |
| ophalen | to fetch |
| opkijken | to look up |
| opknappen | to refurbish |
| oplossen | to solve |
| opmerken | to notice |
| opnemen | to record (e.g., audio) |
| opruimen | to clean up |
| opstaan | to get up |
| opstarten | to start up (e.g., a computer) |
| opstellen | to set up |
| opsturen | to send |
| opvallen | to stand out |
| opvolgen | to follow up |
| opzoeken | to look up/search for |
| overdragen | to transfer |
| overgeven | to vomit |
| overkomen | to come across |
| overleggen | to discuss |
| overnemen | to take over |
| overstappen | to change/transfer (e.g., trains) |
| oversteken | to cross (a street) |
| tegenhouden | to hold back |
| terugbetalen | to pay back |
| terugbrengen | to bring back |
| terugkeren | to return |
| terugkomen | to come back |
| terugkrijgen | to get back |
| teruglezen | to read back |
| teruglopen | to walk back |
| terugroepen | to call back |
| terugsturen | to send back |
| terugtrekken | to withdraw |
| terugvallen | to fall back |
| terugvinden | to find back |
| toedienen | to administer (e.g., medicine) |
| toekijken | to watch |
| toelaten | to allow |
| toelichten | to explain |
| toenemen | to increase |
| toeschrijven | to attribute |
| uitbreiden | to expand |
| uitdoen | to take off (clothes) |
| uitgaan | to go out |
| uitgeven | to publish/spend |
| uithouden | to endure |
| uitkomen | to come out |
| uitlaten | to let out (e.g., a dog) |
| uitleggen | to explain |
| uitlenen | to lend out |
| uitlezen | to finish reading |
| uitnodigen | to invite |
| uitpakken | to unpack |
| uitspreken | to pronounce |
| uitsteken | to stick out |
| uittrekken | to take off (shoes/clothes), set aside (time) |
| uitvallen | to fall out |
| uitvoeren | to carry out/execute |
| uitwerken | to elaborate |
| uitzetten | to turn off/switch off |
| uitzoeken | to sort out |
| voorbijgaan | to pass by |
| voordoen | to demonstrate/show |
| voorkomen | to prevent/occur |
| voorschrijven | to prescribe |
| voorstellen | to introduce/suggest |
| voortleven | to live on |
| voortzetten | to continue |
| weggaan | to leave/go away |
| weggooien | to throw away |
| wegvallen | to disappear |
What is a separable Dutch verb?
A separable Dutch verb is a type of verb that consists of two parts:
- A prefix (e.g., op, af, aan, uit, etc.).
- A main verb (e.g., staan – to stand, wassen – to wash).
When these two parts come together, they form a new meaning. For example:
- opstaan = to get up
- afwassen = to wash up (dishes)
Separable verbs are tricky because the prefix often “separates” from the main verb depending on the sentence structure. This separation happens in specific situations, making it challenging for learners to know where the prefix should go.
