Where Does the Prefix Go?

In a neutral sentence the verbal prefix sits in front of the verb and is written together with it: Anna holnap elutazik Bécsbe. (Anna is leaving for Vienna tomorrow.)

It moves after the verb as a separate word when something else takes the stressed spot right before the verb:

• negation: Nem megyek el. (I'm not going.)
• question words: Mikor jössz haza? (When are you coming home?)
• focus (csak, nem X hanem Y, ki?): Csak Péter jött el. (Only Péter came.)

The word is (too, also) does not do this: Én is elmegyek. (I'm going too.)

With helper verbs such as akar, tud and szeretne, the prefix jumps in front of the helper in a neutral sentence: El akarok menni. (I want to go.) After nem or a question word it stays on the infinitive: Nem akarok elmenni. (I don't want to go.)