German Grammar A–Z
Look up German grammar topics A–Z, organized by category and level — with clear explanations and examples.
Verb Conjugation in the Past Tense
A German verb consists of 2 parts: the Verbstamm (verb stem) + the verb ending. For example, in the verb laufen: Verbstamm (lauf-) + verb ending (-en). Most verbs end in -en, and a few end in -n. In the article below we will look at how to conjugate verbs in the past tense.
1. For most regular verbs (regelmäßige Verben): Verbstamm (verb stem) + t + Personalendung
|
Verbstamm |
Personalendung |
Beispiel |
|
|
ich/er/sie/es |
mach- |
-e |
machte |
|
du |
mach- |
-est |
machtest |
|
ihr |
mach- |
-et |
machtet |
|
wir/sie/Sie |
mach- |
-en |
machten |
- When the verb stem ends in t, d, m, n: Verbstamm + et + Personalendung.
|
Verbstamm |
Personalendung |
Beispiel |
|
|
ich/er/sie/es |
arbeit- |
-e |
arbeitete |
|
du |
arbeit- |
-est |
arbeitetest |
|
ihr |
arbeit- |
-et |
arbeitetet |
|
wir/sie/Sie |
arbeit- |
-en |
arbeiteten |
2. For irregular verbs (unregelmäßige Verben): the verb stem in the past tense (Verbstamm im Präteritum) + Personalendung
|
Verbstamm |
Personalendung |
Beispiel |
|
|
ich/er/sie/es |
ging- |
- |
ging |
|
du |
ging- |
-st |
gingst |
|
ihr |
ging- |
-t |
gingt |
|
wir/sie/Sie |
ging- |
-en |
gingen |
The past tense of some special verbs:
|
haben |
sein |
werden |
|
|
ich/er/sie/es |
hatte |
war |
wurde |
|
du |
hattest |
warst |
wurdest |
|
ihr |
hattet |
wart |
wurdet |
|
wir/sie/Sie |
hatten |
waren |
wurden |
!!! Note:
- The past tense is used to describe actions and events that took place and were completed in the past.
- The past tense has a function similar to the present perfect, but the present perfect is used mainly in speech and in personal letters or emails. The past tense is used in writing (news, reports, books, etc.).
- The verbs sein, haben, werden and the modal verbs are mainly used in the past tense.
