---
title: "Separable verbs: opbellen, meenemen"
level: A1
chapter: "Verbs now"
canonical: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/separable-verbs
updated: 2026-10-08
author: Dutch Fluency
license: CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)
---

# Separable verbs: opbellen, meenemen

A separable verb has a prefix (a small extra word in front), like _op_ in _opbellen_ (to call) or _mee_ in _meenemen_ (to take along). In a normal sentence the verb splits, and the prefix moves to the end: _Ik bel je morgen op_. After _wil_, _kan_ or _moet_, the verb stays in one piece: _Ik wil je opbellen_.

## The pattern

> In a main clause (a normal statement or question), the conjugated verb (the form that changes for _ik_, _jij_ or _hij_) takes its usual place and the prefix moves to the end, after the object and time words. In the infinitive (the dictionary form), for example after _wil_ or _kan_, the prefix stays attached.

- A phrase can sometimes follow the prefix, especially in speech: _Ik bel je op na het eten._
- With _te_, the infinitive splits after all: _Ik probeer je op te bellen._
- Common prefixes: _op_, _af_, _aan_, _uit_, _mee_, _terug_, _weg_, _in_, _door_.
- The prefix carries the stress: _OPbellen_, _MEEnemen_, _AFwassen_.

## Examples

| Ik **bel** je morgen **op**. | I'll call you tomorrow. |
| Ik wil je morgen **opbellen**. | I want to call you tomorrow. |
| **Neem** jij de taart **mee**? | Are you bringing the cake? |
| De trein **komt** om acht uur **aan**. | The train arrives at eight. |
| Fatima **wast** vanavond **af**. | Fatima is doing the dishes tonight. |
| Carlos **komt** morgen **terug**. | Carlos is coming back tomorrow. |
| Ik moet om vijf uur **weggaan**. | I have to leave at five. |

## Why it works this way

Think of the end of the sentence as the verb's home. In a normal sentence the conjugated verb goes to work at the front (see [Verb second: the golden rule](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/verb-second)), but the prefix stays home. After _wil_ or _kan_, the infinitive stays home too, so verb and prefix stay together.

Remember: the verb goes to work, the prefix stays home.

English does this too (you pick the kids up), but Dutch pushes the prefix past time words as well: _Ik haal de kinderen om drie uur op_.

The stressed prefix is your clue that a verb can split. Verbs with _be-_, _ver-_ or _ont-_ never split, and neither do a few verbs with _door_; see [the next lesson](https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar/inseparable-verbs).

## Watch out

- Not: _Ik opbel je morgen._ Say: _Ik bel je morgen op._ (in a normal sentence the prefix splits off)
- Not: _Neem jij mee de taart?_ Say: _Neem jij de taart mee?_ (the prefix comes after the object)
- Not: _Ik sta op altijd om zeven uur._ Say: _Ik sta altijd om zeven uur op._ (time words come before the prefix)
- Not: _Ik wil je op bellen._ Say: _Ik wil je opbellen._ (the infinitive is one word)

## Quick check

1. Fill in the gaps with _terugbellen_: _Joris ... zijn moeder ... ._
2. Fix the sentence: _Emma meeneemt haar fiets._
3. Choose: _Yara wil de radio (zet uit / uitzetten)._
4. Which part of _uitgaan_ carries the stress: _uit_ or _gaan_?

## Answers

1. _Joris belt zijn moeder terug._ (the prefix goes to the end)
2. _Emma neemt haar fiets mee._ (verb second, prefix at the end)
3. _uitzetten_ (after _wil_, the infinitive stays whole)
4. _uit_ (the prefix carries the stress: _UITgaan_)

## Use it today

Tonight, say your plans for tomorrow out loud with three separable verbs. For example: _Ik sta om zeven uur op. Ik neem mijn laptop mee. Ik kom om zes uur terug._

## Questions learners ask

**What is a separable verb in Dutch?**

It is a verb with a stressed prefix such as op, mee or uit that splits off in a normal sentence. The conjugated part takes its usual place and the prefix moves to the end, as in "Ik bel je morgen op".

**Where does the prefix of a separable verb go in a Dutch sentence?**

In a normal statement or question it goes to the end, after the object and time words: "Neem jij de taart mee?" After wil or kan the infinitive stays in one piece ("Ik wil de taart meenemen"), but with te it splits: "op te bellen".

**How do I know if a Dutch verb is separable?**

Listen for the stress: separable verbs are stressed on the prefix, as in OPbellen and MEEnemen. Prefixes like op, af, aan, uit, mee, terug, weg and in are nearly always separable, while be-, ver- and ont- never split.

From the Dutch Fluency Grammar: https://www.dutchfluency.com/grammar. Shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.