Introduction to Regular Verbs
In German, regular verbs follow a consistent pattern when conjugated, making them easier to learn and use in different tenses. These verbs usually end in -en in their infinitive form, and their stems remain unchanged when conjugated. Knowing how to conjugate regular verbs is essential for forming correct sentences in the present tense (Präsens) and beyond.
Regular Verb Endings in Present Tense
The endings for regular verbs in the present tense are applied to the verb stem, which is the infinitive form minus -en. These endings are consistent across many verbs, allowing learners to predict conjugations easily.
Regular Verb Conjugation Table
| German Pronoun | German Conjugation | English Conjugation | German Example | English Example |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | -e | I ... | Ich spiele gern Fußball. | I like to play soccer. |
| du | -st | You (singular) ... | Du lernst Deutsch. | You are learning German. |
| er/sie/es | -t | He/She/It ... | Er wohnt in Berlin. | He lives in Berlin. |
| wir | -en | We ... | Wir arbeiten zusammen. | We work together. |
| ihr | -t | You (plural) ... | Ihr tanzt sehr gut. | You dance very well. |
| sie/Sie | -en | They/You (formal) ... | Sie kochen das Abendessen. | They cook dinner. |
Examples of Common Regular Verbs
Common regular verbs include spielen (to play), lernen (to learn), wohnen (to live), arbeiten (to work), and tanzen (to dance). Each follows the same conjugation pattern shown above. Mastering these helps in forming basic, everyday sentences correctly.
Practice Tips for Regular Verbs
To get comfortable with regular verbs, practice conjugating new verbs by removing -en and adding the correct endings. Write simple sentences or speak aloud using different pronouns to build confidence in your usage.
For additional details on verb conjugation and present tense usage, explore the Present Tense (Präsens) page.
