Function of "ein" in this sentence

Learning German Forum - Ask a Tutor
1

Ich seife meine Hände ein

Can anyone explain why the “ein” is in this sentence? I presume this translate into “I soap UP my hands” – without the “ein” would it be just “I soap my hands”? Is there a name for this grammar construct?

Thanks

Shaun

2

There are two verbs in German: ‘seifen’ and ‘einseifen’.
The last one is more colloquial.
The prefix ‘ein’ must be separated, that’s why: Ich seife meine Hände ein.

3

Actually “seifen” isn’t usually used as a verb (it exists only in theory). The normal verb is “einseifen”, which is separable (trennbar). There is also “abseifen”, meaning to soap down someone or something.

4

Ahh trennbar, excellent.

I found a nice list of separable verbs

http://witsdeutsch.wordpress.com/grammar/trennbare-verben/

Thanks

5

Welcome to the wonderful world of learning German verbs with prefixes - the place where effort floods in and results trickle out!