Unlock the Secrets of German Verb Conjugation: Your Comprehensive Guide
Master German verbs with our comprehensive guide!
German verb conjugations involve changing the verb endings based on the subject (person and number) and tense. The process includes identifying the verb stem by removing the infinitive ending and then adding appropriate endings for each subject pronoun. German verbs conjugate differently in present, past, and future tenses and depending on whether they are regular, irregular, or mixed verbs.
Basic Conjugation Process
- Start with the verb in its infinitive form (usually ending in -en, -eln, or -ern).
- Remove the infinitive ending to find the stem (e.g., machen → mach-, spielen → spiel-).
- Add endings according to the subject pronoun and the tense.
Present Tense Conjugation
The most common endings are:
| Subject | Ending |
|---|---|
| ich | -e |
| du | -st |
| er/sie/es | -t |
| wir | -en |
| ihr | -t |
| Sie/sie | -en |
Examples with “machen” (to do/make):
- ich mache
- du machst
- er/sie/es macht
- wir machen
- ihr macht
- Sie/sie machen
Irregular and Mixed Verbs
- Irregular verbs often change the vowel in the stem for the 2nd and 3rd person singular forms (e.g., sprechen → du sprichst, er spricht).
- Mixed verbs combine features of both regular and irregular conjugations.
- Modal verbs and auxiliary verbs have their own special conjugation patterns.
Past Tense Conjugation
- Regular verbs add -te endings for the simple past (e.g., machen → ich machte).
- Irregular verbs often have unpredictable changes in the stem and endings (e.g., sein → ich war).
- The perfect tense is formed using the auxiliary verb “haben” or “sein” plus the past participle.
Other Tenses and Moods
- Future tense is formed with “werden” + infinitive.
- Subjunctive and imperative moods have distinct conjugations.
- Reflexive verbs conjugate like regular verbs but usually require reflexive pronouns.
This structure provides a foundation to master German verb conjugations by learning regular patterns, common irregularities, and the use of auxiliary and modal verbs across tenses.