German Verbs

Verbs are words that express actions, states or processes. In German, verbs are characterized by their rich variety of forms and uses.

German verbs are conjugated, that is, they change their form to express different grammatical dimensions such as person, number, tense, mood and voice.

Introduction to German verbs

In German, verbs are conjugated according to several dimensions:

• Person: first (ich, wir), second (du, ihr) and third (er/sie/es, sie)
• Number: singular and plural
• Tense: present, past, future
• Mood: indicative, imperative, subjunctive
• Voice: active and passive

Additionally, German verbs can have different forms depending on their use in the sentence, such as the infinitive (base form) and participles (used in compound tenses and as adjectives).

What types of verbs exist in German?

German verbs can be classified in several ways. Here we will focus on four main categories based on their conjugation and structure:

Weak verbs (regular)

Weak verbs, also known as regular verbs, follow a predictable conjugation pattern. They maintain the same verb stem in all their forms and add regular endings.

Example: the verb "machen" (to make/do)

Strong verbs (irregular)

Strong verbs, or irregular verbs, change the vowel of the stem in some of their forms, especially in the simple past and past participle. These changes follow certain patterns, but must be memorized.

Example: the verb "singen" (to sing)

Mixed verbs (gemischte Verben)

Mixed verbs combine characteristics of weak and strong verbs. They change the vowel of the stem like strong verbs, but take the endings of weak verbs in the simple past and past participle.

Example: the verb "denken" (to think)

Separable verbs

Separable verbs are verbs composed of a prefix and a base verb. In certain constructions, the prefix separates from the base verb and is placed at the end of the sentence.

Example: the verb "aufstehen" (to get up)

In the past participle of separable verbs, the prefix ge- is inserted between the separable prefix and the verb stem.

Main, auxiliary and modal verbs

• Main verbs: These provide the main meaning of the action in a sentence. Example: "Ich lese ein Buch." (I read a book.)
• Auxiliary verbs: These are used to form compound tenses and the passive voice. The main ones are "sein" (to be), "haben" (to have) and "werden" (to become/future). Example: "Ich habe ein Buch gelesen." (I have read a book.)
• Modal verbs: These express modality (possibility, necessity, permission, etc.) and are used with an infinitive. The main ones are: können (can), müssen (must), wollen (want), sollen (should), dürfen (may), mögen (like). Example: "Ich kann Deutsch sprechen." (I can speak German.)

Reflexive verbs

Reflexive verbs indicate that the action falls on the subject that performs it. They are used with reflexive pronouns (mich, dich, sich, uns, euch, sich).

Example: "Ich wasche mich." (I wash myself.)

Transitive and intransitive verbs

• Transitive verbs: They require a direct object to complete their meaning. Example: "Ich lese ein Buch." (I read a book.)
• Intransitive verbs: They do not require a direct object. Example: "Die Sonne scheint." (The sun shines.)

Personal and impersonal verbs

• Personal verbs: They are conjugated with all grammatical persons. Example: "Ich gehe, du gehst, er geht..." (I go, you go, he goes...)
• Impersonal verbs: They are used only in third person singular and often refer to natural phenomena or general states. Example: "Es regnet." (It rains.)

Verb conjugation

Verb conjugation is the process of modifying a verb to express different grammatical categories such as person, number, tense, mood and voice.

Verb tenses

German has a total of six verb tenses which are the ones you can see below:

Present (Präsens)

The present is used for current, habitual or future actions. It is formed by adding endings to the infinitive without "en".

Simple past (Präteritum)

The simple past is used mainly in written narration. For regular verbs, it is formed by adding "-te" to the stem and then the personal endings.

Irregular verbs change the vowel of the stem and may have different endings.

Present perfect (Perfekt)

The present perfect is used to talk about past actions in everyday language. It is formed with an auxiliary verb (haben or sein) in the present and the past participle of the main verb.

Structure: [auxiliary] + [past participle]

Example with "spielen" (to play):

Note: Some verbs use "sein" as auxiliary, especially those indicating movement or change of state. Example: "Ich bin gefahren." (I have traveled/driven.)

Past perfect (Plusquamperfekt)

The past perfect is used to express actions that occurred before another action in the past. It is formed with the auxiliary "haben" or "sein" in Präteritum and the past participle of the main verb.

Structure: [auxiliary in Präteritum] + [past participle]

Future (Futur I and Futur II)

Future I (Futur I): Used for actions that will occur in the future. It is formed with the auxiliary "werden" in the present and the infinitive of the main verb.

Structure: [werden in present] + [infinitive]

Future II (Futur II): Used for actions that will have been completed in the future. It is formed with "werden" in the present, the infinitive of "haben" or "sein", and the past participle of the main verb.

Structure: [werden in present] + [haben/sein in infinitive] + [past participle]

Example: "Ich werde gespielt haben." (I will have played.)

Participles (Partizip I and Partizip II)

Partizip I (Present): It is formed by adding "-d" to the infinitive. It is used mainly as an adjective.

Example: spielen → spielend

"Das spielende Kind ist glücklich." (The playing child is happy.)

Partizip II (Past): It is used to form compound verb tenses and as an adjective. Its formation varies according to the type of verb:

• Regular verbs: ge- + stem + -t (spielen → gespielt)
• Irregular verbs: ge- + modified stem + -en (singen → gesungen)
• Verbs with separable prefixes: prefix + ge- + stem + -t/-en (aufstehen → aufgestanden)
• Verbs with inseparable prefixes: stem + -t/-en (without ge-) (verstehen → verstanden)

Verb moods

Indicative

The indicative mood is used to express real facts or those considered as such. It is the most common mood and is used in all the verb tenses seen above.

Example: "Ich spiele Fußball." (I play football.)

Imperative

The imperative is used to give orders, instructions or advice. It has forms for the second person singular (du), plural (ihr) and formal (Sie).

Subjunctive (Konjunktiv I and II)

Konjunktiv I: Used mainly for indirect speech and formal wishes. It is formed from the present stem.

Example: "Er sagt, er spiele Fußball." (He says he plays football.)

Konjunktiv II: Used to express hypothetical or unreal situations. It is formed from the Präteritum for regular verbs, and with vowel changes for irregular verbs.

Example: "Wenn ich Zeit hätte, würde ich Fußball spielen." (If I had time, I would play football.)

Verb position in German sentences

In German, verb position is crucial for sentence structure. There are three main positions:

1. First position: In imperative sentences and questions without an interrogative pronoun.
   Example: "Komm bitte her!" (Come here, please!)
2. Second position: In main declarative sentences and questions with an interrogative pronoun.
   Example: "Ich gehe heute ins Kino." (I'm going to the cinema today.)
3. Final position: In subordinate clauses.
   Example: "Ich weiß, dass er morgen kommt." (I know that he will come tomorrow.)

In compound tenses, the auxiliary verb occupies the second position and the participle or infinitive goes at the end:
"Ich habe gestern einen Film gesehen." (I watched a movie yesterday.)

The passive voice in German

The passive voice in German is formed with the auxiliary "werden" and the past participle of the main verb. There are two main types:

Process passive (Vorgangspassiv)

Structure: [werden (conjugated)] + [past participle]

State passive (Zustandspassiv)

Structure: [sein (conjugated)] + [past participle]

Example: "Das Haus ist gebaut." (The house is built.)

Verbs with prepositions

Some German verbs require specific prepositions. It is important to learn these verbs together with their prepositions, as they can change the meaning.

How reflexive verbs are used in German

Reflexive verbs in German are used with reflexive pronouns that agree with the subject. These verbs can be:

• Pure reflexive: Always used with a reflexive pronoun.
  Example: "Ich erhole mich." (I relax.)
• Contextual reflexive: Can be used with or without a reflexive pronoun, changing their meaning.
  Example: "Ich wasche mich." (I wash myself.) vs. "Ich wasche das Auto." (I wash the car.)

The most used prefixes in separable verbs

Separable verbs in German consist of a prefix and a base verb. In certain constructions, the prefix separates and is placed at the end of the sentence.

In the present tense and in main clauses, the prefix separates:
"Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf." (I get up at 7 o'clock.)

In the infinitive and in subordinate clauses, the prefix remains attached to the verb:
"Ich versuche, früh aufzustehen." (I try to get up early.)

Infinitive with and without "zu"

In German, the infinitive is sometimes used with "zu" and sometimes without it. It is important to know when to use each form:

Infinitive without "zu"

• With modal verbs: "Ich kann gut schwimmen." (I can swim well.)
• With "werden" to form the future: "Ich werde morgen kommen." (I will come tomorrow.)
• With verbs of perception: "Ich sehe ihn kommen." (I see him coming.)

Infinitive with "zu"

• With most other verbs: "Ich verspreche, pünktlich zu kommen." (I promise to arrive on time.)
• In constructions with "um... zu" (in order to): "Ich lerne Deutsch, um in Deutschland zu arbeiten." (I learn German in order to work in Germany.)
• With adjectives followed by infinitive: "Es ist wichtig, Deutsch zu lernen." (It is important to learn German.)

With separable verbs, "zu" is inserted between the prefix and the stem: "Ich fange an anzufangen." (I begin to start.)

Practical examples

Everyday situations

1. At the restaurant:
   "Ich möchte gern bestellen. Können Sie mir die Karte bringen?"
   (I would like to order. Can you bring me the menu?)
2. Making plans:
   "Wollen wir morgen ins Kino gehen? Ich hole dich um 19 Uhr ab."
   (Do we want to go to the cinema tomorrow? I'll pick you up at 7 PM.)
3. Shopping in a store:
   "Entschuldigung, ich suche eine Jacke. Können Sie mir helfen?"
   (Excuse me, I'm looking for a jacket. Can you help me?)
4. Asking for directions:
   "Wie komme ich zum Bahnhof? Muss ich hier links abbiegen?"
   (How do I get to the train station? Do I have to turn left here?)

Dialogues

At a party (use of separable, reflexive and modal verbs)

1. Maria: "Hallo! Schön, dich zu sehen. Wie geht es dir?"
   (Hello! Nice to see you. How are you?)
2. Thomas: "Gut, danke! Ich freue mich, hier zu sein. Kennst du viele Leute hier?"
   (Good, thanks! I'm happy to be here. Do you know many people here?)
3. Maria: "Nicht wirklich. Ich habe mich gerade erst vorgestellt. Möchtest du etwas trinken?"
   (Not really. I just introduced myself. Would you like something to drink?)
4. Thomas: "Ja, gerne. Lass uns zur Bar gehen. Ich lade dich ein."
   (Yes, please. Let's go to the bar. I'll treat you.)
5. Maria: "Das ist sehr nett von dir. Was machst du beruflich?"
   (That's very nice of you. What do you do for a living?)
6. Thomas: "Ich arbeite als Ingenieur. Und du?"
   (I work as an engineer. And you?)
7. Maria: "Ich studiere noch. Ich hoffe, nächstes Jahr abzuschließen."
   (I'm still studying. I hope to graduate next year.)
8. Thomas: "Das ist toll! Lass uns darauf anstoßen!"
   (That's great! Let's toast to that!)