Meaning and Usage
Beginnen is a common German verb meaning to begin or to start. It is used in various contexts when initiating actions, events, or processes. This verb is often more formal than the simple verb anfangen, though both can sometimes be used interchangeably.
Verb Type and Conjugation
Beginnen is an irregular verb with a stem vowel change from "e" to "i" in some forms. It is a regular verb in the rest of its conjugation pattern without separable prefixes.
Present Tense Conjugation
| German Pronoun | German Conjugation | English Conjugation | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | beginne | I begin | Ich beginne das Buch zu lesen. | I begin to read the book. |
| du | beginnst | you begin (informal) | Du beginnst früh zu arbeiten. | You begin to work early. |
| er/sie/es | beginnt | he/she/it begins | Er beginnt die Prüfung. | He begins the exam. |
| wir | beginnen | we begin | Wir beginnen um neun Uhr. | We begin at nine o'clock. |
| ihr | beginnt | you all begin (informal plural) | Ihr beginnt das Meeting. | You all begin the meeting. |
| sie/Sie | beginnen | they/you (formal) begin | Sie beginnen das Projekt morgen. | They begin the project tomorrow. |
Past Tense and Past Participle
The simple past (Präteritum) of beginnen uses the stem vowel change "i" and the endings typical for weak verbs. The past participle is used with the auxiliary verb haben in the perfect tense.
| Tense | Form | Example (German) | Example (English) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Past | begann | Sie begann zu arbeiten. | She began to work. |
| Past Participle | begonnen | Er hat das Spiel begonnen. | He has begun the game. |
Usage Notes
Beginnen can be followed by an infinitive clause with zu or by a noun indicating what is starting. It is often used in formal writing and speeches. In conversation, anfangen may be more common for casual speech.
Common Expressions
- mit etwas beginnen – to begin with something
- einen neuen Abschnitt beginnen – to begin a new chapter/section
- das Fest beginnen – to start the celebration
Understanding the conjugation and usage of beginnen helps build more precise and formal German sentences indicating the start of actions or events.
