Lesson 1: Common Separable Phrasal Verbs
Phrasal Verbs (Introduction) (B1)
Welcome to the world of phrasal verbs! A phrasal verb1 is a verb combined with a small word (a particle) that creates a new meaning. Today, we'll learn about separable2 phrasal verbs, which means you can put the object in the middle of the phrase!
Word Bank
| 💡 turn on3 | បើក | To start a machine or light. Example: "Please turn on the light." |
| 🚫 turn off4 | បិទ | To stop a machine or light. Example: "Don't forget to turn off the TV." |
| 👆 pick up5 | រើស | To lift something from a surface. Example: "Can you pick up your book?" |
| 📥 put away6 | ទុកដាក់ | To put something in its correct place. Example: "Please put away your clothes." |
| 🗑️ throw away7 | បោះចោល | To put something in the trash because you don't want it. Example: "You should throw away that old newspaper." |
| 🧠 figure out8 | ដោះស្រាយ / គិតចេញ | To understand or solve something. Example: "I need to figure out this math problem." |
Usage Note: The "Separable" Rule
For these verbs, the object can go after the phrase OR in the middle.
- You can say: "Please turn on the light."
- You can also say: "Please turn the light on."
- Important Pronoun Rule: If the object is a pronoun (like 'it' or 'them'), it **must** go in the middle.
Correct: "Please turn it on."
Incorrect: "Please turn on it."
In Conversation
Bora and Srey are cleaning their apartment.
Bora: This place is a mess! Let's clean up.
Srey: I agree. First, can you turn on the fan? It's hot in here.
Bora: Sure. I'll turn it on. What should I do next?
Srey: Please pick up those books from the floor and put them away on the shelf.
Bora: Okay. What about this old magazine? Should I throw it away?
Srey: Yes, please. I can't figure out where to start! After we finish, we can turn off the fan and go get coffee.
quiz Check Your Understanding
1. Which sentence is correct?
- a) Please pick up it.
- b) Please pick it up.
- c) Both are correct.
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) Please pick it up.
2. What is the opposite of "turn on"?
- a) Turn away
- b) Turn off
- c) Turn around
Click to see the answer
Answer: b) Turn off
3. You don't want your old shoes anymore. What should you do?
- a) Put them away.
- b) Figure them out.
- c) Throw them away.
Click to see the answer
Answer: c) Throw them away.
edit Your Mission
- My Room: Write three sentences about your room using phrasal verbs from this lesson. (e.g., "I need to put away my books.")
- Practice Pronouns: Rewrite these sentences using pronouns: 1. "Pick up the pen." 2. "Turn off the lights."
- Speak: Your mission is to use a separable phrasal verb today. For example, say to a friend, "Can you turn on the air-con?"
book Lesson Glossary
- Phrasal Verb (noun) - Khmer: កិរិយាសព្ទផ្សំ - A verb combined with a particle (like on, off, away) to create a new meaning. ↩
- Separable (adjective) - Khmer: ដែលអាចបំបែកបាន - Able to be moved apart. The object can go in the middle of the verb and the particle. ↩
- turn on (phrasal verb) - Khmer: បើក - To start a machine or light. ↩
- turn off (phrasal verb) - Khmer: បិទ - To stop a machine or light. ↩
- pick up (phrasal verb) - Khmer: រើស - To lift something from a surface. ↩
- put away (phrasal verb) - Khmer: ទុកដាក់ - To put something in its correct place. ↩
- throw away (phrasal verb) - Khmer: បោះចោល - To put something in the trash. ↩
- figure out (phrasal verb) - Khmer: ដោះស្រាយ / គិតចេញ - To understand or solve something. ↩