Separable Verbs: The Split Particle

Many Dutch verbs begin with a small word called a particle: opstaan (to get up), meenemen (to take along), aankomen (to arrive), uitnodigen (to invite). In a main clause in the present tense these verbs split. The conjugated verb keeps its usual place (second, or first in a question or command) and the particle moves to the end of the clause:

• Ik sta om zeven uur op. (I get up at seven.)
• Neem je een paraplu mee? (Are you taking an umbrella?)
• Doe het licht uit. (Switch off the light.)

A phrase with a preposition or a dat-clause may still follow the particle: Ga je mee naar de bioscoop? The particle carries much of the meaning, so choose it carefully: aantrekken (put on) vs uittrekken (take off), aandoen (switch on) vs uitdoen (switch off). In speech the particle is stressed: OPstaan, MEEnemen.