German has two main types of participles: Partizip I (present participle) and Partizip II (past participle). They are used to form verb forms, create compound tenses, and build adjectives or adverbial expressions.
Partizip I (Present Participle)
Partizip I is formed by adding -end to the verb stem and means "…-ing." It is mainly used as an adjective or adverb to describe ongoing actions. German does not use Partizip I to form tenses; this is a common difference from English.
- Formation: verb stem + -end (e.g., machen → machend)
- Meaning: …-ing (doing something)
- Usage: mainly as an adjective or adverb; describes simultaneous or ongoing actions
- Not used: to form verb tenses (unlike English)
Examples
| German Example | English Example |
|---|---|
| Die lachenden Kinder | The laughing children |
| Sie ging singend nach Hause | She went home *singing |
| Er schreibt, *telefonierend | He writes *while talking on the phone |
Partizip I can be declined like an adjective:
| Case | Masculine Singular | Feminine Singular | Neuter Singular | Plural |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nominative | der lachende Junge | die lachende Frau | das lachende Kind | die lachenden Kinder |
| Accusative | den lachenden Jungen | die lachende Frau | das lachende Kind | die lachenden Kinder |
Partizip II (Past Participle)
Partizip II is used to form the perfect and pluperfect tenses, as well as the passive voice. It can also function as an adjective or appear in compound nouns and set phrases. The endings and prefixes depend on whether a verb is regular (weak), irregular (strong), or a mixed type.
Formation Rules
| Verb Type | Pattern | Example | Partizip II |
|---|---|---|---|
| Regular (weak) | ge + stem + t | machen (to do) | gemacht |
| Irregular (strong) | ge + stem (changed vowel) + en | schreiben (to write) | geschrieben |
| Mixed | ge + stem (changed vowel) + t | bringen (to bring) | gebracht |
| Verbs with prefixes (e.g., be-, ver-) | prefix + stem + t (no ge) | verdienen (to earn) | verdient |
| Separable prefix verbs | prefix + ge + stem + t | aufstehen (to get up) | aufgestanden |
| Inseparable prefix verbs | prefix + stem + t (no ge) | verstehen (to understand) | verstanden |
Usage
| Use Case | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|
| Perfect Tenses (mit haben oder sein) | Ich habe gegessen. | I have eaten. |
| Pluperfect Tense (Plusquamperfekt) | Wir hatten das Buch gelesen. | We had read the book. |
| Passive Voice (mit werden) | Der Brief wird geschrieben. | The letter is being written. |
| As Adjectives | die geöffnete Tür | the opened door |
Important Notes
- Most verbs use haben in perfect tenses (e.g., Ich habe gemacht).
- Verbs indicating movement or change of state use sein (e.g., Ich bin gegangen).
- Partizip II of modal verbs and werden is used in subordinate clauses and passive constructions.
Complete the German sentence with the correct Partizip II: Wir sind früh ___ (aufstehen).
aufgestanden
For separable prefix verbs like aufstehen, Partizip II is formed as prefix + ge + stem + t (aufgestanden), using sein as the auxiliary.
Which auxiliary verbs are used with Partizip II in perfect tenses in German?
haben or sein, depending on the main verb (motion/state verbs use sein)
Most verbs use haben, but verbs of movement or change of state use sein (e.g., Ich bin gegangen).
Summary
- Partizip I = present participle (stem + -end), used adjectivally or adverbially.
- Partizip II = past participle, used for perfect/pluperfect tenses, passive voice, and as adjectives.
- German participles can also appear in compound structures and set expressions.
Flashcards (1 of 7)
- English Example: The laughing children
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
