Partizip I and Partizip II in German
What are Partizip I and Partizip II? #
Partizip I (Present Participle) #
Formation: Infinitive + -d
Example: laufen → laufend (running)
Usage:
- As an adjective - describes ongoing actions (similar to “-ing” in English)
- To express simultaneous actions - something happening at the same time
- As an adverb - to modify verbs
- Indicates an active, ongoing process
Partizip II (Past Participle) #
Formation:
- Regular verbs:
ge-+ stem +-t(gekauft - bought) - Irregular verbs:
ge-+ stem (changed) +-en(gegessen - eaten) - Separable verbs: prefix +
ge-+ stem +-t/-en(eingekauft) - Inseparable/foreign verbs: NO
ge-(besucht, studiert)
Usage:
- Perfect tenses (Perfekt, Plusquamperfekt) - with haben/sein
- Passive voice - with werden
- As an adjective - describes completed actions or states
- Indicates a passive or completed process
Key Differences #
| Aspect | Partizip I | Partizip II |
|---|---|---|
| Time | Present/Ongoing | Past/Completed |
| Voice | Active | Passive or Completed |
| Meaning | “currently doing” | “has been done” |
| Example | das schlafende Kind (the sleeping child) | das geschlossene Fenster (the closed window) |
15 Example Sentences #
1. Partizip I as Adjective (Ongoing Action) #
Der lachende Mann sitzt am Tisch.
The laughing man is sitting at the table.
हंसता हुआ आदमी मेज़ पर बैठा है।
2. Partizip II in Perfect Tense #
Ich habe das Buch gestern gekauft.
I bought the book yesterday.
मैंने कल किताब खरीदी।
3. Partizip I - Simultaneous Action #
Singend ging sie durch den Park.
Singing, she walked through the park.
गाते हुए, वह पार्क से गुज़री।
4. Partizip II in Passive Voice #
Das Auto wird repariert.
The car is being repaired.
कार की मरम्मत की जा रही है।
5. Partizip I as Adverb #
Die Kinder spielen lachend im Garten.
The children are playing laughingly in the garden.
बच्चे बगीचे में हंसते हुए खेल रहे हैं।
6. Partizip II as Adjective (Completed State) #
Das gebackene Brot riecht wunderbar.
The baked bread smells wonderful.
सिकी हुई रोटी की अद्भुत खुशबू आ रही है।
7. Partizip I - Describing Ongoing State #
Der steigende Wasserspiegel bedroht das Dorf.
The rising water level threatens the village.
बढ़ता हुआ जल स्तर गाँव को खतरे में डाल रहा है।
8. Partizip II with ‘sein’ (Change of State) #
Die Gäste sind schon angekommen.
The guests have already arrived.
मेहमान पहले ही आ गए हैं।
9. Partizip I - Active Meaning #
Die arbeitenden Menschen verdienen mehr Respekt.
The working people deserve more respect.
काम करने वाले लोग अधिक सम्मान के पात्र हैं।
10. Partizip II - Passive Meaning #
Die renovierte Wohnung sieht sehr modern aus.
The renovated apartment looks very modern.
नवीनीकृत अपार्टमेंट बहुत आधुनिक दिखता है।
11. Partizip I in Extended Adjective Construction #
Der seit drei Stunden wartende Patient wurde endlich aufgerufen.
The patient who had been waiting for three hours was finally called.
तीन घंटे से इंतज़ार कर रहे मरीज़ को आखिरकार बुलाया गया।
12. Partizip II in Plusquamperfekt #
Bevor ich ankam, hatte er das Essen schon gekocht.
Before I arrived, he had already cooked the meal.
इससे पहले कि मैं पहुँचता, उसने खाना पहले ही पका लिया था।
13. Partizip I - Expressing Cause #
Nicht wissend, was sie tun sollte, rief sie ihre Mutter an.
Not knowing what to do, she called her mother.
यह न जानते हुए कि क्या करना चाहिए, उसने अपनी माँ को फोन किया।
14. Partizip II - State Resulting from Action #
Die geschriebenen Briefe liegen auf dem Schreibtisch.
The written letters are lying on the desk.
लिखे हुए पत्र मेज़ पर पड़े हैं।
15. Partizip I & II Combined #
Die tanzenden Gäste haben die ganze Nacht bis zum geöffneten Fenster gefeiert.
The dancing guests celebrated all night long near the opened window.
नाचते हुए मेहमानों ने खुली खिड़की के पास पूरी रात जश्न मनाया।
Important Grammar Notes #
Partizip I Adjective Endings #
When used as adjectives, both Partizip I and II follow normal adjective declension rules:
- Nominative: der laufende Hund (the running dog)
- Accusative: den laufenden Hund
- Dative: dem laufenden Hund
- Genitive: des laufenden Hundes
Common Partizip II Forms to Remember #
| Infinitive | Partizip II | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| sein | gewesen | been |
| haben | gehabt | had |
| werden | geworden | become |
| gehen | gegangen | gone |
| kommen | gekommen | come |
| essen | gegessen | eaten |
| trinken | getrunken | drunk |
| schreiben | geschrieben | written |
| lesen | gelesen | read |
| sprechen | gesprochen | spoken |
B1 Exam Tips #
- Partizip I = ongoing/active → use with present situations
- Partizip II = completed/passive → use with perfect tenses and passive voice
- Remember: Partizip I ALWAYS ends in -d
- Watch out for verbs with inseparable prefixes (be-, er-, ver-, etc.) - NO ge-
- Practice adjective declension with both participles