The most important grammar rules related to sprechen are: using the verb stem sprech-, remembering the irregular du and er/sie/es endings (e.g., du sprichst, er spricht), and using the correct auxiliary verb haben in the perfect tense.
Conjugations (Indicative)
Present Indicative
The Present tense describes current or general actions, such as "Ich spreche Deutsch" (I speak German).
| Person | German Singular | English Singular | German Plural | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| st | Ich spreche | I speak | Wir sprechen | We speak |
| nd | Du sprichst | You speak | Ihr sprecht | You speak |
| rd | Er/Sie/Es spricht | He/She/It speaks | Sie sprechen | They speak |
Simple Past Indicative
The Simple Past (Präteritum) is used in writing and storytelling, as in "Er sprach gestern mit ihm" (He spoke with him yesterday).
| Person | German Singular | English Singular | German Plural | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| st | Ich sprach | I spoke | Wir sprachen | We spoke |
| nd | Du sprachst | You spoke | Ihr spracht | You spoke |
| rd | Er/Sie/Es sprach | He/She/It spoke | Sie sprachen | They spoke |
Present Perfect (Perfekt)
The Present Perfect describes past actions relevant to the present. Use haben gesprochen: "Ich habe mit ihr gesprochen" (I have spoken with her).
| Person | German Singular | English Singular | German Plural | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| st | Ich habe gesprochen | I have spoken | Wir haben gesprochen | We have spoken |
| nd | Du hast gesprochen | You have spoken | Ihr habt gesprochen | You have spoken |
| rd | Er/Sie/Es hat gesprochen | He/She/It has spoken | Sie haben gesprochen | They have spoken |
Future Indicative
The Future tense expresses actions that will happen: "Wir werden morgen sprechen" (We will speak tomorrow).
| Person | German Singular | English Singular | German Plural | English Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| st | Ich werde sprechen | I will speak | Wir werden sprechen | We will speak |
| nd | Du wirst sprechen | You will speak | Ihr werdet sprechen | You will speak |
| rd | Er/Sie/Es wird sprechen | He/She/It will speak | Sie werden sprechen | They will speak |
Separable and Reflexive Forms
Reflexive Use: sich sprechen (rare)
Sich sprechen is mostly used in fixed expressions like sich gut sprechen können ("to be able to express oneself well"). Example: "Ich kann mich gut in Deutsch sprechen" (I can express myself well in German).
| Pronoun | Reflexive Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| Ich | Ich kann mich gut sprechen | I can express myself well |
| Du | Du kannst dich gut sprechen | You can express yourself well |
| Er/Sie/Es | Er kann sich gut sprechen | He can express himself well |
Note on Separable Forms
Sprechen is not separable, so it never splits into parts like spre-chen in sentences.
Usage and Meaning
Core Meaning
Sprechen means "to speak" or "to talk," focusing on the act of verbal expression itself.
Speaking Languages
Use sprechen with "(eine Sprache) sprechen" to indicate language ability: "Sie spricht Französisch" (She speaks French).
Speaking with Someone
Use mit + Dativ to indicate talking with someone: "Ich spreche mit meinem Lehrer" (I speak with my teacher).
Formal Address
Sprechen Sie ...? is a polite way to ask: "Sprechen Sie Englisch?" (Do you speak English?).
Indirect Speech
Use sprechen von + Dativ to indicate what someone is talking about: "Er spricht von seinem Urlaub" (He talks about his vacation).
Grammar Tips
- Use haben as the auxiliary verb in perfect tenses: haben gesprochen.
- Remember stem vowel changes in 2nd and 3rd person singular: du sprichst, er spricht.
- Use the preposition mit + dative when indicating someone you are speaking with.
- Use von + dative to talk about the topic of speech.
- In indirect questions or polite requests, use sprechen Sie (e.g., "Sprechen Sie Deutsch?").
- For reporting or indirect speech in written German, use the subjunctive form spräche (e.g., Er spräche Deutsch).
Example Sentences
Basic Usage
- Ich spreche Deutsch. — I speak German.
- Du sprichst sehr gut Englisch. — You speak English very well.
- Er spricht mit seiner Mutter. — He speaks with his mother.
Past and Perfect
- Wir sprachen gestern miteinander. — We spoke with each other yesterday.
- Sie hat mit dem Chef gesprochen. — She has spoken with the boss.
Future and Conditional
- Ich werde morgen mit ihr sprechen. — I will speak with her tomorrow.
- Wenn ich Zeit hätte, spräche ich mit dir. — If I had time, I would speak with you.
Common Phrases
- Sprechen Sie Englisch? — Do you speak English? (formal)
- Können wir später sprechen? — Can we speak later?
- Ich muss mit dir sprechen. — I need to speak with you.
- Er spricht immer so schnell. — He always speaks so fast.
- Von wem sprichst du? — Whom are you talking about?
Conclusion
Sprechen is an irregular but essential German verb for expressing the act of speaking, discussing languages, and engaging in conversations. Remember its stem changes, auxiliary usage, and common prepositions to use it correctly.
Flashcards (1 of 15)
- Person: 1st
- English Singular: I speak
- English Plural: We speak
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
