Separable verbs with transport (umsteigen, einsteigen, aussteigen)

A2 German grammar — Public Transport. Many transport verbs are separable: *umsteigen* (change), *einsteigen* (get on), *aussteigen* (get off), *abfahren* (dep…

Open chapter: Öffentlicher Verkehr

Rule explained

Many transport verbs are separable: *umsteigen* (change), *einsteigen* (get on), *aussteigen* (get off), *abfahren* (depart). In the present tense the prefix moves to the end: *Ich steige in München um.* After modals the infinitive stays together: *Wir müssen in München umsteigen.* In subclauses the parts stay together at the end: *…, weil ich umsteigen muss.*

Examples

Use these mini-pairs as templates:

• Wir steigen in Frankfurt um. — We change in Frankfurt.
• Steigen Sie bitte ein! — Please get on! (Sie)
• Ich muss in Köln aussteigen. — I have to get off in Cologne.

Common mistakes

Watch out for these learner errors:

• *umsteigen* stays together after modal verb.
• In *weil*-clauses separable verbs stay joined at the end.