LEKTION 6
Present Simple
In German, as with English, there are some regular verbs which follow certain conjugation patterns and then there are irregular verbs where there are exceptions. In this lesson, we are going to study the formation of the present simple regular verbs.
This tense is formed by adding the following endings to the root of the verb:
| 1st pers. sing. |
-e |
| 2nd pers. sing. |
-st |
| 3rd pers. sing. |
-t |
| 1st pers. plur. |
-en |
| 2nd pers. plur. |
-t |
| 3rd pers. plur. |
-en |
The root of the verb is obtained by removing the ending "en" from the infinitive:
| Infinitive |
Root |
| Arbeiten |
Arbeit- |
| Wohnen |
Wohn- |
| Fragen |
Frag- |
Here are some examples:
| Infinitive |
Arbeiten (to work) |
Wohnen (to live) |
Fragen
(to ask) |
Lernen
(to learn) |
| 1st pers. sing. - Ich |
Arbeite |
Wohne |
Frage |
Lerne |
| 2nd pers. sing. - Du |
Arbeitest |
Wohnst |
Fragst |
Lernst |
| 3rd pers. sing. - Er; Sie; Es |
Arbeitet |
Wohnt |
Fragt |
Lernt |
| 1st pers. plur. - Wir |
Arbeiten |
Wohnen |
Fragen |
Lernen |
| 2nd pers. plur. - Ihr |
Arbeitet |
Wohnt |
Fragt |
Lernt |
| 3rd pers. plur. - Sie |
Arbeiten |
Wohnen |
Fragen |
Lernen |
Within this rule for forming the present simple of regular verbs, there are also some things to note:
If the root of the verb ends in "d" or in "t", then you add an "e" between the root and the ending with the 2nd person singular and plural forms, same as the 3rd person singular (you can see this with the verb "arbeiten").
|
| If the root of the verb ends in "s", "ss", "x" o "z", then "s" is dropped when forming the 2nd person singular (for example: "reisen" (to travel): its 2nd person singular conjugation is "reist". |
VOCABULARY
| Hat |
Hut (m) |
Waistcoat |
Weste (f) |
| Scarf |
Schal (m) |
Tie |
Krawatte (f) |
| Raincoat |
Regenmantel (m) |
Shirt |
Hemd (n) |
| Coat |
Schutz (m) |
T-shirt |
T-shirt (n) |
| Jacket |
Jacke (f) |
Suit |
Anzug (m) |
| Glove |
Handschuh (m) |
Underwera |
Unterwäsche (f) |
| Trousers |
Hose (f) |
Vest |
Unterhemd (n) |
| Shoe |
Schuh (m) |
Boxer shorts |
Unterhose (f) |
| Boot |
Stiefel (m) |
Bra |
Büstenhalter (m) |
| Trainer |
Pantoffel (m) |
Sock |
Socke (f) |
| Pyjama |
Pyjama (m) |
Knickers |
Schlüpfer (m) |
| Dress |
Kleid (n) |
