I. Theory
In German, prefixes are used to add a nuance to a word or, sometimes, give the word an entirely new meaning. We find prefixes used in a similar way in English: “rewrite” vs. “write” or “befriend” vs. “friend”.While separable prefixes are discussed in another lesson, this lesson will focus on the inseparable prefixes and what their general meanings are.
| Ich warte auf jemanden. I am waiting for someone. But Ich erwarte jemanden. I am expecting someone. Das Kind schläft bis zum Morgen. The child sleeps until morning. But Er hat verschlafen und war spät. He overslept and was late. |