German Passive Voice Present Tense

Overview

The passive voice is used far less often in German than in English, but it still finds its place. The passive voice is used when the verb’s subject is a person or a thing influenced by something (being acted upon). You will most likely see it in writing rather than in spoken German. Unlike the active voice, when the subject of the sentence performs an action, the passive is the form of the verb that is used when the subject is affected by the action.

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July 10, 2023

Stephen Sovenyhazy

In German, as in English, there are both active and passive voices. In an active sentence, the person or thing doing the verb/action is emphasized.

The boy kicks the soccer ball.
Der Junge kickt den Fussball.

In the passive voice, by contrast, the action is the focus of the sentence, not the agent or performer of the verb.

The soccer ball is kicked.
Der Fussball wird gekickt.

In the above example, the fact that the ball is kicked is emphasized; however, the agent can still be added to the passive sentence.

The soccer ball is kicked by the boy.
Der Fussball wird von dem Jungen gekickt.

In English, the passive is formed with the present tense of the verb “to be” plus the past participle of the main verb (“to kick” → kicked), whereas, in German, the present tense of the verb “werden” (to become) is combined with the past participle. The agents are included by way of prepositions (“by” and “von”; German also uses “durch” (intermediaries or inanimate means) and “mit” (tools/instruments).

Der Baum wird durch den Blitzschlag verbrannt.
The tree is (being) burnt by the lightning strike.

Das Blatt Papier wird mit der Schere geschnitten.
The paper is (being) cut with the scissors.

Passiv Präsens (wichtig ist die Handlung, nicht das Subjekt, z.B. in Kochrezepten, Gebrauchsanweisungen): werden + Partizip II

If modal verbs are used in the present tense passive, “werden” goes to the end of the sentence, after the past participle of the main verb.

Er muss die Hausaufgaben machen. → Die Hausaufgaben müssen gemacht werden.

Passiv Imperfekt: wurden + Partizip II

The past tense (Imperfekt/Präteritum) of the passive voice in German is nearly the same as the present. The only changes are to the conjugated verb (either “werden” or modal verb), which have to be conjugated for the simple past, and the placement of “werden” at the end of sentences containing modal verbs.

Der Fussball wurde von dem Jungen gekickt.
The ball was (being) kicked by the boy.

Die Hausaufgaben mussten gemacht werden.
The homework has to be done.

Passiv Perfekt: sein + Partizip II + worden

In the spoken past (das Perfekt), there are two noticeable changes: 1) the past participle of the main verb is followed by a truncated form of “geworden” (past participle of “werden”) at the end of the sentence (there cannot be two past participles in a clause); and 2) the helping or auxiliary verb is “sein.”

Der Hund ist gefüttert worden.
The dog was fed.

Die Hunde sind von den Kindern gefüttert worden.
The dog was fed by the children.

Der Hund ist durch den Donnerschlag erschreckt worden.
The dog was startled by the thunder.

Highlighted Author:

Stephen Sovenyhazy

Stephen is the President of CORE Languages having founded the company in 2007. His focus is on empowering those with a need for community, culture and communication. For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe. A quote from Stephen. "When I started teaching, I sought to bring that same energy, dedication, and sense of purpose into my own classrooms. I founded CORE Languages to expand that vision, seeing the growing need for language training options designed to meet the unique needs of business environments. For over a decade, CORE has helped businesses achieve their strategic international goals by empowering employees to learn and find joy in communicating in a new language and cultural context. With our online instructor-led courses, we now bring this to community members across the globe. It’s a privilege to do what we do and share what we love with you.”

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Additional Topics

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Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

The CEFR is an international standard used to describe language ability. Here are specific details of the CEFR for this topic.

General Explanation:

Can understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. Can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. Can produce simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. Can describe experiences and events, dreams, hopes & ambitions and briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans.

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

I can write simple connected text on topics which are familiar or of personal interest. I can write personal letters describing experiences and impressions.

Spoken Production:

I can connect phrases in a simple way in order to describe experiences and events, my dreams, hopes and ambitions. I can briefly give reasons and explanations for opinions and plans. I can narrate a story or relate the plot of a book or film and describe my reactions.

Spoken Interaction:

I can deal with most situations likely to arise whilst travelling in an area where the language is spoken. I can enter unprepared into conversation on topics that are familiar, of personal interest or pertinent to everyday life (e.g. family, hobbies, work, travel and current events).

Reading:

I can understand texts that consist mainly of high frequency everyday or job-related language. I can understand the description of events, feelings and wishes in personal letters.

Listening:

I can understand the main points of clear standard speech on familiar matters regularly encountered in work, school, leisure, etc. I can understand the main point of many radio or TV programs on current affairs or topics of personal or professional interest when the delivery is relatively slow and clear.