Many German verbs start with a small stressed prefix (ab-, aus-, an-, weiter-, mit-). In a normal sentence the prefix breaks off the verb and moves to the end of the clause, while the verb itself stays in second position. So abbiegen becomes: Ich biege ... ab.
Examples
- Biegen Sie hier rechts ab.
- Turn right here.
- Ich steige an der nächsten Haltestelle aus.
- I get off at the next stop.
- Der Zug kommt um acht Uhr an.
- The train arrives at eight o'clock.
The mistake to avoid
Forgetting the prefix rejoins the verb in the infinitive: "Ich muss hier aussteigen", not "Ich muss hier steigen aus".
Where this fits in
Travel & directions, German A2: Get around in a German-speaking city: take transport, ask the way, check into a hotel, and buy a ticket.