German Present Perfect - Irregular Verbs

Overview

German present perfect irregular verbs are formed by using strong (irregular) verbs. This past tense form is often referred to as the "conversational past" since it is most often used in spoken German when speaking about events in the past.

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June 28, 2023

stephen

Das Perfekt mit “sein“

sein + (usually) ge+(main part of the verb)+en

Most verbs that express movement from one point to another point, indicate a change of state of being (e.g. wake up, fall asleep, lose consciousness), and “sein” (gewesen) use “sein” as an auxiliary or helping verb in the present perfect.

Infinitiv	gehen	laufen	fahren	kommen
Präsens	ich gehe	du läufst	er fährt	wir kommen
Perfekt	ich bin gegangen	du bist gelaufen	er ist gefahren	wir sind gekommen

Example: Er ist gestern nach Hamburg gefahren. Ich bin letzte Woche in Berlin gewesen.

He drove to Hamburg yesterday. I was in Berlin last week.

(literally: He has driven to Hamburg yesterday. I have been in Berlin last week.)

Das Perfekt mit “haben” (-en ending)

pres perfstarksein 1 1 jpg — Learn a foreign language in live or self-paced courses 4

haben + ge+main part of the verb+en

Infinitiv	lesen	schreiben	sehen	essen
Präsens	ich lese	er schreibt	ihr seht	sie essen
Perfekt	ich habe gelesen	er hat geschrieben	ihr habt gesehen	sie haben gegessen

Example: Ich habe gestern ein Buch gelesen. Sie haben letzte Woche Eis gegessen.

I read a book yesterday. You ate ice cream last week.

(literally: I have read a book yesterday. You have eaten ice cream last week.)

pres perfstarkhaben 1 1 jpg — Learn a foreign language in live or self-paced courses 5

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stephen

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German Accusative and Dative Prepositions

When we talk about movement, from point A to B, we apply the Accusative case. Here’s an easy way to remember: ACtive -> ACcusative

Always ask the question, “Wohin” (where to?), when considering the accusative with these prepositions.

The difference with Dative is that we’re talking about a static situation. The question to ask here is “Wo?” (where?).

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German Review of all Tenses

There are 6 basic tenses in German. The two ‘simple’ tenses are present and simple past. They use just one, conjugated verb. The four ‘compound’ tenses are present perfect, past perfect, future, and future perfect.

German Idioms

Not only will learning idioms improve your German comprehension, but it’ll also give you insight into German culture and history. Here are some of the most common German idioms.

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 and use familiar everyday expressions and very basic phrases aimed at the satisfaction of needs of a concrete type. Can introduce him/herself and others and can ask and answer questions about personal details such as where he/she lives, people he/she knows and things he/she has. Can interact in a simple way provided the other person talks slowly and clearly and is prepared to help.

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

I can write a short, simple postcard, for example sending holiday greetings. I can fill in forms with personal details, for example entering my name, nationality and address on a hotel registration form.

Spoken Production:

I can use simple phrases and sentences to describe where I live and people I know.

Spoken Interaction:

I can interact in a simple way provided the other person is prepared to repeat or rephrase things at a slower rate of speech and help me formulate what I’m trying to say. I can ask and answer simple questions in areas of immediate need or on very familiar topics.

Reading:

I can understand familiar names, words and very simple sentences, for example on notices and posters or in catalogues.

Listening:

I can recognize familiar words and very basic phrases concerning myself, my family and immediate concrete surroundings when people speak slowly and clearly.

German Present Perfect - Irregular Verbs

Overview

Das Perfekt mit “sein“

stephen

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Private Classes

Group Courses

Academy Courses

German Levels

Additional Topics

Common European Framework of Reference for Languages

General Explanation:

Specific Capabilities at this Level

Writing:

Spoken Production:

Spoken Interaction:

Reading:

Listening:

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