Meaning and Usage
The verb denken means to think in English. It is commonly used to express thoughts, opinions, or reflections. In German, denken can also be followed by prepositions like an (to think of/about) to specify what one is thinking about.
Conjugation of Denken
Denken is an irregular verb in German. Below is its present tense conjugation with English equivalents and examples:
| German Pronoun | German Conjugation | English Conjugation | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | denke | I think | Ich denke oft an dich. | I often think of you. |
| du | denkst | you think (sing.) | Denkst du auch so? | Do you think so too? |
| er/sie/es | denkt | he/she/it thinks | Er denkt viel nach. | He thinks a lot. |
| wir | denken | we think | Wir denken anders darüber. | We think differently about it. |
| ihr | denkt | you think (pl.) | Denkt ihr daran? | Are you thinking about it? |
| sie/Sie | denken | they/you think (form.) | Sie denken an die Zukunft. | They think about the future. |
Usage with Prepositions
When expressing the object of one's thoughts, denken is often combined with the preposition:
- denken an + accusative – to think about someone/something
Example:
- Ich denke an meine Familie. (I think about my family.)
Past Tense Forms
The simple past (Präteritum) and perfect (Perfekt) tenses are important for recounting past thoughts.
| Tense | German Form | English Equivalent | Example German | Example English |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Past | dachte | thought | Er dachte lange nach. | He thought for a long time. |
| Present Perfect | hat gedacht | has thought | Sie hat oft an dich gedacht. | She has often thought of you. |
Summary
Denken is a versatile verb to express thinking processes. Its irregular conjugation and usage with prepositions like an can help specify thoughts about people or things. Learning its various forms aids in expressive communication in German.
