Learn German: Ich würde dich niemals hintergehen.

The prefix hinter- (behind) is often used to create inseparable verbs with a figurative, secretive, or deceitful meaning. Just like the English idiom "to go behind someone's back," adding hinter- to gehen (to go) creates hintergehen, meaning to deceive or betray someone.

Are verbs with the prefix hinter- separable?

No, as a verb prefix, hinter- is inseparable. This means the prefix stays attached to the verb in present tense main clauses (like Ich hintergehe dich) and the past participle does not get a -ge- added in the middle (like Ich habe dich hintergangen).

Why does hintergehen take the accusative dich instead of a dative pronoun?

Although many verbs dealing with personal interactions take the dative (like vertrauen or glauben), hintergehen is a transitive verb. It requires a direct object, which is why we use the accusative dich rather than the dative dir.

What is the difference between hintergehen and betrügen?