Language/German/Grammar/Present-Tense
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| ◀️ Verb Forms — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Separable Verbs ▶️ |
Introduction[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, we will dive into the present tense in German. The present tense is used to describe actions that are happening right now or actions that happen regularly. It is an essential part of everyday communication, so mastering the present tense is crucial for beginners like you who are learning German. In this lesson, we will cover both regular and irregular verbs and provide you with plenty of examples and practice exercises to reinforce your understanding.
Regular Verbs[edit | edit source]
Let's start by looking at regular verbs in the present tense. Regular verbs follow a predictable pattern when conjugated, which makes them relatively easier to learn compared to irregular verbs. In the present tense, regular verbs are conjugated based on the subject pronoun and the verb stem. The verb stem remains the same for all pronouns, except for the third-person singular (he/she/it), where an -s or -t is added at the end of the stem.
Here is an example of conjugating the regular verb "spielen" (to play) in the present tense:
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | spiele |
| du | spielst |
| er/sie/es | spielt |
| wir | spielen |
| ihr | spielt |
| sie/Sie | spielen |
As you can see, the verb stem "spiel-" remains the same for all pronouns except for the third-person singular "spielt." This pattern applies to most regular verbs in German.
Now, let's practice conjugating some common regular verbs in the present tense. Repeat after me:
- gehen (to go)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | gehe |
| du | gehst |
| er/sie/es | geht |
| wir | gehen |
| ihr | geht |
| sie/Sie | gehen |
- arbeiten (to work)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | arbeite |
| du | arbeitest |
| er/sie/es | arbeitet |
| wir | arbeiten |
| ihr | arbeitet |
| sie/Sie | arbeiten |
- lesen (to read)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | lese |
| du | liest |
| er/sie/es | liest |
| wir | lesen |
| ihr | lest |
| sie/Sie | lesen |
Great job! Regular verbs follow a consistent pattern in the present tense, and with practice, you will become more comfortable conjugating them correctly.
Irregular Verbs[edit | edit source]
Now, let's move on to irregular verbs in the present tense. Irregular verbs, as the name suggests, do not follow the regular conjugation patterns. Each irregular verb has its own unique conjugation forms, which you need to memorize. In this section, we will introduce you to some common irregular verbs and their conjugations in the present tense.
- sein (to be)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | bin |
| du | bist |
| er/sie/es | ist |
| wir | sind |
| ihr | seid |
| sie/Sie | sind |
- haben (to have)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | habe |
| du | hast |
| er/sie/es | hat |
| wir | haben |
| ihr | habt |
| sie/Sie | haben |
- gehen (to go)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | gehe |
| du | gehst |
| er/sie/es | geht |
| wir | gehen |
| ihr | geht |
| sie/Sie | gehen |
- kommen (to come)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | komme |
| du | kommst |
| er/sie/es | kommt |
| wir | kommen |
| ihr | kommt |
| sie/Sie | kommen |
Now, let's practice conjugating some more irregular verbs in the present tense. Repeat after me:
- essen (to eat)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | esse |
| du | isst |
| er/sie/es | isst |
| wir | essen |
| ihr | esst |
| sie/Sie | essen |
- sehen (to see)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | sehe |
| du | siehst |
| er/sie/es | sieht |
| wir | sehen |
| ihr | seht |
| sie/Sie | sehen |
- nehmen (to take)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | nehme |
| du | nimmst |
| er/sie/es | nimmt |
| wir | nehmen |
| ihr | nehmt |
| sie/Sie | nehmen |
Well done! Irregular verbs require some extra effort to memorize their conjugation forms, but with practice and exposure, you will become more familiar with them.
Using Present Tense in Common Situations[edit | edit source]
Now that you have learned how to conjugate regular and irregular verbs in the present tense, let's explore some common situations where you can use the present tense in German.
Talking about Daily Routines[edit | edit source]
One common use of the present tense is to talk about daily routines or habitual actions. For example:
- Ich stehe um 7 Uhr auf. (I get up at 7 o'clock.)
- Er fährt jeden Tag mit dem Fahrrad zur Arbeit. (He rides his bike to work every day.)
- Wir essen immer um 18 Uhr zu Abend. (We always have dinner at 6 o'clock.)
In these examples, the present tense is used to describe actions that happen regularly or as part of a daily routine.
Expressing Future Plans[edit | edit source]
The present tense can also be used to express future plans or scheduled events. In German, it is common to use the present tense instead of the future tense for informal conversations. For example:
- Morgen gehe ich ins Kino. (Tomorrow, I'm going to the cinema.)
- Nächste Woche fahren wir in den Urlaub. (Next week, we're going on vacation.)
- Am Samstag spiele ich Tennis. (On Saturday, I'm playing tennis.)
In these examples, the present tense is used to indicate future actions or events.
Describing Current Situations[edit | edit source]
Another use of the present tense is to describe current situations or states. For example:
- Ich lerne Deutsch. (I am learning German.)
- Es regnet heute. (It is raining today.)
- Die Sonne scheint. (The sun is shining.)
In these examples, the present tense is used to describe the current state or situation.
Giving Instructions or Directions[edit | edit source]
The present tense is also used to give instructions or directions. For example:
- Du nimmst die erste Straße rechts. (You take the first street on the right.)
- Ihr schneidet die Zwiebeln in kleine Stücke. (You cut the onions into small pieces.)
- Sie geben den Teig in die Form und backen ihn bei 180 Grad. (You put the dough in the pan and bake it at 180 degrees.)
In these examples, the present tense is used to give step-by-step instructions or directions.
Practice Exercises[edit | edit source]
Now, let's practice what you have learned so far. Complete the following sentences with the correct form of the verb in the present tense:
1. Ich __________ (lesen) gerne Bücher. 2. Du __________ (spielen) Fußball am Wochenende. 3. Er __________ (arbeiten) in einem Büro. 4. Wir __________ (gehen) oft ins Kino. 5. Ihr __________ (trinken) gerne Tee. 6. Sie __________ (haben) zwei Katzen. 7. Ich __________ (nehmen) den Bus zur Arbeit. 8. Du __________ (sehen) fern jeden Abend.
Check your answers below:
1. Ich lese gerne Bücher. 2. Du spielst Fußball am Wochenende. 3. Er arbeitet in einem Büro. 4. Wir gehen oft ins Kino. 5. Ihr trinkt gerne Tee. 6. Sie haben zwei Katzen. 7. Ich nehme den Bus zur Arbeit. 8. Du siehst fern jeden Abend.
Well done! Keep practicing to reinforce your understanding of the present tense in German.
Conclusion[edit | edit source]
In this lesson, you have learned how to use the present tense in common situations with regular and irregular verbs. You now know how to conjugate regular verbs based on the subject pronoun and the verb stem, as well as how to memorize the conjugation forms of irregular verbs. Remember to practice using the present tense in various contexts to become more comfortable with its usage. Keep up the good work, and soon you will be able to communicate effectively in German using the present tense!
Videos[edit | edit source]
The German Present Tense Explained | A1 Beginner - YouTube[edit | edit source]
The Present Perfect Tense: German Strong Verbs - YouTube[edit | edit source]
German Irregular (Strong) Verbs Present Tense - YouTube[edit | edit source]
Sources[edit | edit source]
- German Grammar: Present Tense of Verbs - Grammatik der ...
- The present tense of German verbs - The German Professor
- German Tenses – Past, Present and Future
Other Lessons[edit | edit source]
- Indefinite Articles in German
- Negation
- Definite Articles in German
- 0 to A1 Course
- Questions
- Subject and Verb
- Simple negative sentences
- How to Use Have
- Nouns
| ◀️ Verb Forms — Previous Lesson | Next Lesson — Separable Verbs ▶️ |