Beginnen is a German verb that means “to begin” or “to start.” It is used for initiating events, actions, or processes and is often preferred in more formal contexts.
- (to start, to begin)
- Used for starting events, actions, or processes
- More formal than anfangen
| Infinitive | Participle II | Auxiliary | Category | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beginnen | beginnen | begonnen | sein | Irregular |
- Infinitive: beginnen
- Participle II: begonnen
- Auxiliary verb for perfect tense: sein
- Functions as a main verb for starting something
Correct! 'Beginnen' means 'to begin' or 'to start.'
'Beginnen' is used for starting events or actions, like a meeting or concert.
Conjugation
Beginnen is irregular and uses sein in the perfect tense because it indicates a change of state (starting something).
| Person | Present | Simple Past | Perfect |
|---|---|---|---|
| ich | beginne | begann | bin begonnen (wordt) |
| du | beginnst | begannst | bist begonnen |
| er/sie/es | beginnt | begann | ist begonnen |
| wir | beginnen | begannen | sind begonnen |
| ihr | beginnt | begannt | seid begonnen |
| sie/Sie | beginnen | begannen | sind begonnen |
Correct! 'beginnen' uses 'sein' as the auxiliary verb.
'begonnen' is the correct past participle for 'beginnen.'
Correct conjugations are 'ich beginne,' 'du beginnst,' 'wir beginnen.'
Usage with Examples
Beginnen is often used when something officially or formally starts. It can be used with or without a direct object.
- Events: Die Sitzung beginnt um 9 Uhr.
- Projects: Wir beginnen das neue Projekt nächste Woche.
- Formal contexts: Der Unterricht beginnt jetzt.
You'd use 'beginnen' for starting a formal meeting.
'Beginnen' is correctly used when starting something, like 'Der Film beginnt um acht.'
Synonyms & Related Verbs
- Anfangen: to start (more informal, interchangeable in many contexts)
- Starten: to start (used for machines, vehicles, or informal contexts)
- Losgehen: to set off, to begin (more conversational)
| Verb | Nuance | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Beginnen | Formal start | Der Kurs beginnt morgen. |
| Anfangen | General start, informal | Ich fange jetzt an. |
| Starten | Starting engines/processes | Der Motor startet. |
| Losgehen | Off you go/start moving | Der Spaziergang geht los. |
For a formal beginning, 'beginnen' is best.
You use 'starten' to talk about starting a car.
Anfangen and starten are close synonyms of beginnen.
Conclusion
Beginnen is a key verb for starting things, especially in formal or official contexts.
- Means "to begin/to start," used for events and processes.
- Irregular conjugation, uses sein in perfect tense.
- Related to anfangen (more informal), starten (for engines).