How to use the verbs ophalen, opstoen, opmaachen & oppassen

IN Level A2, Verbs

Learn in this lesson to make sentences with the 4 separable verbs with the prefixe op: opstoen, ophalen, opmaachen & oppassen

In this lesson you will learn in depth what a Luxembourgish separable verb is. I recommend to first read that lesson and then to come back to this lesson.

We native speakers use a LOT of verbs with separable prefixe. If you speak with native speakers, you need to at least understand these verbs, or I can guarantee, you’ll miss things in the conversation. I don’t want that to happen to you, so today, you’ll learn 4 separable verbs with the prefixe op for everyday conversation. Let’s go!

Ophalen

Here we have the verb halen which means to put, to hold or to keep and the prefixe op. The prefixe op changes the meaning of the verb halen.

Read this dialogue*
Anne: Weess du wat meng Schwéiermamm mir haut gesot huet?
Marie: Umm, ech mengen du solls si méi oft alueden!
Anne: Nee. Probéier nach eemol!
Marie: Uhhh… Du solls ophalen mat fëmmen?
Anne: Hal op! Dat ass net komesch.

Did you get the meaning of ophalen? In this conversation, it means to stop (an action).

*Get the translation of the dialogue by downloading the PDF of this lesson.

Other Examples

Ech halen all Dag um 17h00 Auer op mat schaffen. – I finish work at 5pm every day.
Hal op esou vill Kaméidi ze maachen!* – Stop making so much noise!

*The separation rule also applies in the imperative mood.

However when used with a modal verb, separable prefix verbs are not divided.

Beispiller (Examples)

Du solls ophalen esou vill Séissegkeeten z’iessen. – You should stop eating so many sweets.
Ech muss onbedéngt haut um 17h00 ophale(n) mat schaffen. – I absolutely have to stop working at 5pm today.

This is only one meaning of the verb ophalen. For more meanings look under Luxembourgish online dictionary.

Opmaachen

Here we have the verb maachen which you know of course.

Beispiller (Examples)

Ech maachen elo de Kaffi. – I’ll prepare now the breakfast.
Ech maachen zweemol d’Woch Sport. – I do twice a week sports.

But if you add the prefixe op the meaning of the verb maachen changes: opmaachen simply means to open

D’Kanner maachen ëmmer gär Kaddoen op! – The kids like to open gifts.
Maach d’Fënster op wgl! – Please open the window!
Soll ech eng Fläsch Wäin opmaachen? – Shall I open a bottle of wine?
Um wéi vill Auer mécht d’Apdikt op?

Opstoen

Here we have the verb stoen which means to stand or to be situated.

Beispiller (Examples)

Ech stinn net gär esou laang an der Keelt. – I don’t like standing for so long in the cold.
D’Fläsch Mëllech steet am Frigo. – The bottle of milk is (stands upright) in the fridge.

But if you add the prefixe op the meaning of the verb stoen changes its meaning. opstoen simply means to get up or to stand up.

D’Kanner stinn um 7h00 Auer op. – The children get up at 7am.
Stéi op! Et ass scho(nn) spéit. – Get up! It is already late.
Ech stinn am Bus ëmmer op, fir eeler Persounen meng Plaz ze loossen. – I always stand up in the bus to leave elderly people my seat.

Oppassen

Here we have the verb passen which means to fit or to suit, to match.

Beispiller (Examples)

D’Box passt mir net. – The pants don’t fit me.
De(n) Schlëssel passt net op d’Dier. – The key doesn’t fit onto the door.
Deng Schong passen net bei deng Jupe.

But if you add the prefixe op the meaning of the verb passen changes its meaning. oppassen means to watch out, to pay attention.

D’Kanner passen net ëmmer op, wa(nn) si iwwer d’Strooss ginn. – The children don’t always watch out when they cross the street.
Pass op, datt s du net fäls. –
D’Automobiliste(n) mussen op d’Foussgänger oppassen. – The drivers must pay attention to the pedastrians.

oppassen op means to look after, to mind after a person or an animal:

Beispiller (Examples)

Meng Mamm passt op meng Kanner op, wann ech erausginn. – My mother looks after my children when I go out.
Meng Noperen passen op meng Kaz op wann ech an d’Vakanz ginn. – My neighbours look after my cat when I go on vacation.