Prefix term

"turning on"

ein- vs. an-

: ein- is used for electronic devices with switches or systems — TV, computer, radio, heating, alarm.

: an- is used for lights, engines, or simple appliances — lamp, car engine, coffee machine.

Examples :

ein- (electronics):

1. Mein Vater schaltet jeden Morgen den Fernseher ein.

(My father turns on the television every morning.)

2. Die Sekretärin hat den Computer eingeschaltet.

(The secretary turned on the computer.)

an- (lights, engines):

1. Der Fahrer macht den Motor an.

(The driver turns on the engine.)

2. Meine Schwester hat die Lampe angemacht.

(My sister turned on the lamp.)

Note :

ein- = Electronics (TV, computer).

an- = Lights, engines, simple things.

"starting / beginning"

ab- vs. an- vs. ein- vs. los-

: ab- means "start" in the sense of departure (a vehicle or journey beginning to move).

: an- means "start" in the sense of initiating an action or process (work, a machine, or a conversation).

: ein- means "start" in the sense of entering a new state or phase (learning, packing, or beginning a habit).

: los- means "start" in the sense of sudden, energetic movement (running, racing, or acting immediately).

Examples :

ab- (departure start):

1. Der Zug fährt um 8 Uhr ab.

(The train starts/departs at 8 o'clock.)

2. Das Flugzeug ist pünktlich abgeflogen.

(The plane started/took off on time.)

an- (action start):

1. Sie fängt die Arbeit um 9 Uhr an.

(She starts work at 9 o'clock.)

2. Der Motor springt sofort an.

(The engine starts immediately.)

ein- (state start):

1. Sie packt das Geschenk ein.

(She starts packing the gift.)

2. Er lernt Deutsch ein.

(He starts learning German.)

los- (sudden start):

1. Der Läufer rennt sofort los.

(The runner starts running immediately.)

2. Das Kind läuft los.

(The child starts running off.)

Note :

ab- = Start of movement (trains, planes).

an- = Start of an action (work, engine).

ein- = Start of a process (packing, learning).

los- = Sudden, energetic start (running, racing).

"off"

ab- vs. aus-

: ab- means "off" in the sense of removing a surface layer or covering — wiping off a table, taking off a lid, or scraping off paint.

: aus- means "off" in the sense of switching off or extinguishing — turning off a light, switching off an engine, or putting out a fire.

Examples :

ab- (removing off a surface):

1. Sie wischt den Tisch ab.

(She wipes off the table.)

2. Er nimmt den Deckel von der Flasche ab.

(He takes the lid off the bottle.)

aus- (switching/extinguishing off):

1. Mach das Licht aus!

(Turn the light off!)

2. Der Fahrer stellt den Motor aus.

(The driver switches off the engine.)

Note :

ab- = Off a surface (wipe off, take off a lid).

aus- = Off by switching/extinguishing (turn

off light, engine, fire).

"up / completing"

aus- vs. auf-

: aus- means "up" in the sense of completing something fully — drinking up, spending completely, or drying out entirely. It focuses on using or finishing a resource.

: auf- means "up" in the sense of completing something to the end or finishing a task — eating up, finishing a plate, or gathering everything together. It focuses on completing a specific portion or closing a process.

Examples :

aus- (completing fully / using up):

1. Ich trinke den Saft aus.

(I drink up the juice.)

2. Sie hat das ganze Geld ausgegeben.

(She spent all the money.)

auf- (finishing completely / ending a task):

1. Sie isst die Suppe auf.

(She eats up the soup.)

2. Er hat seine Hausaufgaben aufgegeben. (Note: "aufgeben" means "to give up" here, not "completing", so use "aufessen" for eat up)

Better Example: Sie isst den ganzen Teller auf.

(She eats up the whole plate.)

Note :

aus- = Complete something fully (drink up, spend fully).

auf- = Finish to the e

nd (eat up, close a task).

"out"

aus- vs. dar-

: aus- means "out" in the sense of physical movement from inside to outside — going out of a room, taking something out of a box, or stepping out of a house.

: dar- means "out" in the sense of presenting or bringing forward — showing something, presenting an idea, or offering something to others. It is often used in combination with prepositions (dar- + preposition) to refer to something already mentioned.

Examples :

aus- (physical out):

1. Sie geht aus dem Haus.

(She goes out of the house.)

2. Er nimmt das Buch aus der Tasche.

(He takes the book out of the bag.)

dar- (presenting / bringing forward):

1. Sie stellt das Buch dar.

(She presents the book.)

2. Er hat das Problem dargestellt.

(He presented the problem.)

Note :

aus- = Physical movement from inside to outside.

dar- = Presenting or bringin

g forward (not physical).

"away"

fort- vs. ab- vs. hin- vs. los- vs. weg-

: fort- means "away" in the sense of continuing movement away — going away, driving away, or moving farther from a place.

: ab- means "away" in the sense of departing or removing from a surface — leaving, taking off, or wiping off.

: hin- means "away" in the sense of movement away from the speaker — going there, putting something down there, or directing toward a goal.

: los- means "away" in the sense of starting to move away suddenly — running off, driving off, or breaking free.

: weg- means "away" in the sense of removing or disappearing — taking away, throwing away, or vanishing completely.

Examples :

fort- (continuing away):

1. Er geht fort.

(He goes away.)

2. Sie fährt fort.

(She drives away.)

ab- (departing / removing):

1. Der Zug fährt ab.

(The train departs.)

2. Sie wischt den Tisch ab.

(She wipes off the table.)

hin- (away from speaker):

1. Er geht hin.

(He goes there.)

2. Sie legt das Buch hin.

(She puts the book down there.)

los- (sudden away):

1. Der Läufer rennt los.

(The runner starts running off.)

2. Das Kind läuft los.

(The child runs off.)

weg- (removing / disappearing):

1. Er geht weg.

(He goes away.)

2. Sie nimmt das Buch weg.

(She takes the book away.)

Note :

fort- = Continuing movement away.

ab- = Departing or removing.

hin- = Away from speaker (toward a goal).

los- = Sudden, energetic movement away.

weg- = Removing or disappearing completely.

Short summary:

Use fort- for ongoing movement away.

Use ab- for departure or removal.

Use hin- for direction away from you.

Use los

- for sudden start away.

Use weg- for removal or disappearance.

"continuing"

fort- vs. weiter-

: fort- means "continuing" in the sense of moving away while continuing — going away, driving away, or moving further from a place. It emphasizes the action of leaving while keeping the action going.

: weiter- means "continuing" in the sense of keeping the same action without stopping — working on, reading on, or driving further in the same direction. It emphasizes the action itself continuing.

Examples :

fort- (continuing away):

1. Er arbeitet fort.

(He continues working.)

2. Sie fährt fort.

(She continues driving.)

weiter- (continuing without stopping):

1. Er arbeitet weiter.

(He continues working.)

2. Sie liest den Text weiter.

(She continues reading the text.)

Note :

fort- = Continue while moving away (often with physical movement).

weiter- = Continue without stopping (focus on the action itself).

Short summary:

Use fort- for continuing away.

Use wei

ter- for continuing the action.

"removing"

fort- vs. weg-

: fort- means "removing" in the sense of carrying or moving something away from a place — taking away, driving away, or sending away. It often implies moving something to another location.

: weg- means "removing" in the sense of making something disappear completely — throwing away, wiping away, or eliminating something entirely. It often implies the thing is gone for good.

Examples :

fort- (moving away):

1. Er trägt den Tisch fort.

(He carries the table away.)

2. Sie schickt das Paket fort.

(She sends the package away.)

weg- (making disappear):

1. Sie nimmt den Teller weg.

(She takes the plate away.)

2. Er wischt den Fleck weg.

(He wipes the stain away.)

Note :

fort- = Move something away to another place.

weg- = Make something disappear completely.

Short summary:

Use fort- for moving something away.

Use weg-

for making something disappear.

"toward"

her- vs. zu- vs. hin-

: her- means "toward" in the sense of movement toward the speaker — coming here, bringing something to me, or moving in my direction.

: zu- means "toward" in the sense of movement in a specific direction or to a destination — going to a place, walking toward a person, or heading somewhere.

: hin- means "toward" in the sense of movement away from the speaker toward a goal — going there, putting something down over there, or directing toward a target.

Examples :

her- (toward speaker):

1. Er kommt her.

(He comes here.)

2. Sie bringt das Buch her.

(She brings the book here.)

zu- (toward destination):

1. Er geht zum Bahnhof.

(He goes toward the train station.)

2. Sie läuft zu ihrem Freund.

(She walks toward her friend.)

hin- (away from speaker toward goal):

1. Er geht hin.

(He goes there.)

2. Sie legt das Buch hin.

(She puts the book down there.)

Note :

her- = Toward the speaker (here).

zu- = Toward a destination (to a place/person).

hin- = Away from speaker toward a goal (there).

Short summary:

Use her- for movement toward you.

Use zu- for movement toward a destination.

Use hin-

for movement away from you toward a goal.

"down"

her- vs. nieder- vs. ab- vs. unter-

: her- means "down" in the sense of movement downward toward the speaker — coming down here, falling down toward me.

: nieder- means "down" in the sense of placing or putting down — sitting down, laying down, or setting something down.

: ab- means "down" in the sense of removing from a surface or downward movement — taking down, wiping down, or moving downward.

: unter- means "down" in the sense of going below or setting — sinking down, going under, or the sun setting.

Examples :

her- (down toward speaker):

1. Er kommt die Treppe her.

(He comes down the stairs here.)

2. Der Ball fällt her.

(The ball falls down here.)

nieder- (placing down):

1. Er setzt sich nieder.

(He sits down.)

2. Sie legt das Buch nieder.

(She puts the book down.)

ab- (removing down):

1. Sie nimmt das Bild von der Wand ab.

(She takes the picture down from the wall.)

2. Der Fahrer bremst den Wagen ab.

(The driver slows the car down.)

unter- (going below):

1. Die Sonne geht unter.

(The sun sets.)

2. Das Schiff ist untergegangen.

(The ship sank.)

Note :

her- = Down toward the speaker.

nieder- = Placing or putting down.

ab- = Removing down or moving downward.

unter- = Going below or setting.

"forward"

her- vs. vor-

: her- means "forward" in the sense of movement toward the speaker or out from a hidden place — coming out, stepping forward toward me, or emerging.

: vor- means "forward" in the sense of movement ahead or in front — going forward, stepping ahead, or showing something in front of others.

Examples :

her- (forward toward speaker):

1. Er tritt her.

(He steps forward.)

2. Sie kommt aus dem Haus her.

(She comes forward out of the house.)

vor- (forward ahead):

1. Er geht vor.

(He goes forward.)

2. Sie zeigt das Bild vor.

(She shows the picture forward / presents it.)

Note :

her- = Forward toward the speaker or out from hiding.

vor- = Forward ahead or in front.

Short summary:

Use her- for forward toward yo

u.

Use vor- for forward ahead.

"loosening / detaching"

los- vs. nieder-

: los- means "loosening / detaching" in the sense of freeing, unfastening, or separating something — untying a knot, loosening a screw, or breaking something free.

: nieder- means "loosening / detaching" in the sense of taking or pulling something down from a fixed position — tearing down, pulling down, or removing something from above.

Examples :

los- (unfastening / freeing):

1. Er macht den Knoten los.

(He loosens / undoes the knot.)

2. Sie schraubt die Mutter los.

(She loosens the nut.)

nieder- (pulling / tearing down):

1. Der Sturm hat die Bäume niedergerissen.

(The storm tore down the trees.)

2. Sie hat das alte Gebäude niedergelegt.

(She demolished / laid down the old building.)

Note :

los- = Loosen, unfasten, or set free.

nieder- = Pull, tear, or bring down from above.

Short summary:

Use los- for loosening or unfastening.

Use niede

r- for pulling or tearing down.

"with"

bei- vs. mit-

: bei- means "with" in the sense of being at or near a person, place, or situation — staying with someone, working at a company, or being present during an event. It emphasizes location, proximity, or accompaniment in a static sense.

: mit- means "with" in the sense of togetherness, participation, or including someone/something — coming along, bringing someone, or doing something together. It emphasizes active involvement or joint action.

Examples :

bei- (with / at / near):

1. Ich wohne bei meiner Oma.

(I live at my grandma's place / with my grandma.)

2. Sie arbeitet bei BMW.

(She works at BMW.)

3. Bleib bei mir!

(Stay with me!)

mit- (together / along):

1. Ich gehe mit.

(I am going along.)

2. Sie bringt ihren Freund mit.

(She brings her friend along.)

3. Wir arbeiten zusammen an dem Projekt mit.

(We are collaborating on the project together.)

Note :

bei- = With (location, proximity, or being present).

mit- = With (togetherness, participation, or joint action).

Short summary:

Use bei- for location, proximity, or being with someone.

Use mit- for active participation, bringing along, or doing something together.

"together / along"

mit- vs. zusammen-

: mit- means "together" in the sense of accompanying or bringing along — coming with someone, bringing something, or being part of a group.

: zusammen- means "together" in the sense of combining or joining forces — working together, mixing things, or collapsing into one.

Examples :

mit- (accompanying / bringing along):

1. Ich gehe mit.

(I am going along.)

2. Sie bringt ihren Freund mit.

(She brings her friend along.)

zusammen- (combining / joining):

1. Wir arbeiten zusammen.

(We work together.)

2. Sie fügt die Teile zusammen.

(She joins the parts together.)

Note :

mit- = Accompanying or bringing along.

zusammen- = Combining or joining forces.

Short summary:

Use mit- for going along or bringing someone.

Use zusammen- for workin

g together or combining things.

"copying / imitating"

nach- vs. ab-

: nach- means "copying" in the sense of repeating or imitating after someone — repeating words after someone, copying a movement, or following a model.

: ab- means "copying" in the sense of taking a replica or transcription — writing down from a source, copying text, or reproducing exactly.

Examples :

nach- (imitating after someone):

1. Das Kind spricht alles nach.

(The child repeats everything after someone.)

2. Er macht die Bewegung nach.

(He imitates the movement.)

ab- (copying from a source):

1. Er schreibt den Text ab.

(He copies the text.)

2. Sie malt das Bild ab.

(She copies the painting.)

Note :

nach- = Imitating or repeating after someone.

ab- = Copying from a source or transcribing.

Short summary:

Use nach- for imitating or repeating after someone.

Use ab- for copying

from a source or writing down.

"closing"

ab- vs. zu- vs. aus- vs. ein-

: ab- means "closing" in the sense of turning off, sealing, or cutting off — turning off water, sealing a pipe, or disconnecting.

: zu- means "closing" in the sense of shutting a cover or opening — closing a door, window, lid, or box.

: aus- means "closing" in the sense of switching off or extinguishing — turning off lights, engines, or putting out fire.

: ein- means "closing" in the sense of packing into or shutting inside — packing a suitcase, locking something in, or sealing a package.

Examples :

ab- (sealing / cutting off):

1. Der Klempner dreht das Wasser ab.

(The plumber turns off the water.)

2. Die Stadt sperrt die Straße ab.

(The city closes off the street.)

zu- (shutting a cover):

1. Mach die Tür zu!

(Close the door!)

2. Sie macht den Koffer zu.

(She closes the suitcase.)

aus- (switching off):

1. Mach das Licht aus!

(Turn off the light!)

2. Der Pilot stellt den Motor aus.

(The pilot turns off the engine.)

ein- (packing into):

1. Sie packt die Kleidung in den Koffer ein.

(She packs the clothes into the suitcase.)

2. Die Ware wird in Kisten eingepackt.

(The goods are packed into boxes.)

Note :

ab- = Turn off or seal (remove access).

zu- = Shut a cover (door, window, lid).

aus- = Switch off or extinguish.

ein- = Pack into or seal inside.

Short summary:

ab- = Seal / cut off.

zu- = Shut covers

aus- = Switch off / extinguish.

ein- = Pack into.

"stopping / cancelling"

ab- vs. zu-

: ab- means "stopping / cancelling" in the sense of cancelling an event, ending a process, or breaking a contact — cancelling an appointment, disconnecting a service, or stopping a subscription.

: zu- means "stopping / cancelling" in the sense of blocking, covering, or closing something physically or figuratively — closing a door, stopping a hole, or ending a conversation firmly.

Examples :

ab- (cancelling / discontinuing):

1. Ich habe den Termin abgesagt.

(I cancelled the appointment.)

2. Sie hat das Abonnement abbestellt.

(She cancelled the subscription.)

3. Der Zugverkehr wurde abgebrochen.

(The train service was stopped / broken off.)

zu- (blocking / closing off):

1. Die Polizei hat die Straße zugemacht.

(The police closed off the street.)

2. Er hat das Gespräch zu Ende gebracht.

(He brought the conversation to an end.)

3. Mach den Wasserhahn zu!

(Turn off the tap / stop the water flow!)

Note :

ab- = Cancel, discontinue, or break off (events, services, actions).

zu- = Block, close off, or stop physically (roads, taps, conversations).

Short summary:

Use ab- for cancelling or discontinuing.

Use zu- for blocking or closing off.

"back / again"

zurück- vs. wieder-

: zurück- means "back" in the sense of returning to a starting point — coming back, giving back, or moving back to where you started.

: wieder- means "again" in the sense of repeating an action — doing something again, seeing someone again, or restoring to a previous state.

Examples :

zurück- (returning to origin):

1. Er kommt zurück.

(He comes back.)

2. Sie gibt das Buch zurück.

(She gives the book back.)

3. Er fährt nach Hause zurück.

(He drives back home.)

wieder- (repeating / restoring):

1. Sie kommt morgen wieder.

(She comes again tomorrow.)

2. Er sieht den Film wieder.

(He watches the film again.)

3. Der Arzt hat ihn wiederhergestellt.

(The doctor restored him.)

Note :

zurück- = Return to the starting point (location or possession).

wieder- = Repeat an action or restore to a former state.

Short summary:

Use zurück- for returning to where you started.

Use wieder- for doing something again or restoring.