German Present Perfect - Regular Verbs

Overview

The German present perfect tense with regular verbs is formed by using weak (regular) 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.

Old man remembering past events with photos
stephen
0

German Present Perfect Regular Verbs

The present perfect is generally used in spoken language to express something that happened in the past. The preterite tense is used the same way, but mainly in written texts such as stories, fairy tales, newspapers, books and literature in general.

Perfekt mit haben (-t ending)

haben  +   ge  +  main part of the verb  +  t

Infinitivlernenlebenwollenkritisieren
PräsensIch lerneDu lebstEr willIhr kritisiert
PerfektIch habe gelerntDu hast gelebtEr hat gewolltIhr habt kritisiert

Example: Ich habe zwei Jahre in Berlin gelebt. Ich habe letztes Jahr Spanisch gelernt.

I lived in Berlin for two years. I learned Spanish last year.

(literally: I have lived in Berlin for two years. I have learned Spanish last year.)

 

Weak (aka Regular) Verbs with ‘haben’

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

Verbs ending with ‘-ieren’

pres perfverbenmit ieren 1 1 jpg
Learn a foreign language in live or self-paced courses 5

Highlighted Author:

stephen

German Word of the Day

German Newsletter

Sign up to receive communications from CORE Languages.

* indicates required
Which topics would you like to hear most about?
Smiling young african american businessman writing in diary and using laptop in creative office

Private Classes

Meet one or more times weekly with a dedicated German instructor online at a pace and schedule that custom fits your busy life.

Click here
Group of cheerful young women studying together

Group Courses

Our 10 week group German courses meet twice a week for 1-hour classes. Learn German with other motivated students. Best option for German CEFR certification.
 
Click here
Inspirational International Women's Day Quotes for 2023

Academy Courses

Join an Academy course for course content built on top of leading German curriculum: includes videos, vocabulary, quizzes and certificate.

Click here

German Levels

Discover additional German content:

Additional Topics

Fencer in Action
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?).
Read More
Soccer player in action on the soccer stadium
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.

Read More
Potsdamer Platz in Berlin, Germany
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.

Read More
Show More
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.

Sign up for our German Newsletter

Subscribe

* indicates required
Which topics would you like to hear most about?