How To Use the 65 Most Widespread German Verbs

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For those who’re new to studying German, constructing a wholesome pool of German verbs from which to tug is a superb technique to develop your fluency. Verbs are the engine of each sentence, driving your intention ahead by displaying motion, in order that they’re a crucial a part of each expression. Don’t let the lists of conjugations and verbs idiot you! How lengthy it takes to be taught German verbs will be shortened by noticing the patterns between these completely different conjugations, and also you’re positive to note them shortly as you try this information.

The 25 most typical German verbs 

Since verbs are an important a part of speech in German (or any language), it’s useful to get began with the fundamentals. Right here’s a fast record of the commonest German verbs proven of their infinitive kind—that means their base, unaltered kind with out conjugation. You’ll discover verbs starting from essen (to eat) and lernen (to be taught) to machen (to make/do) and verstehen (to know).

1. Denken (to assume)

Use the German verb denken (to assume) to point out what’s occurring in somebody’s thoughts. Nonetheless, you gained’t must assume a lot about the right way to conjugate denken as a result of it’s a daily verb within the German current tense. The stem will stay the identical as you conjugate and the ending will change in keeping with the usual sample.

Denken sentence instance:

• Ich denke an meine Frau. = I’m pondering about my spouse.
  

2. Essen (to eat) 

German meals is a crucial a part of German tradition, and was du isst (what you eat) issues! Essen means “to eat” and is an irregular verb that swaps out the e- firstly with an i-, so watch out together with your spelling as you conjugate this German verb. You may also confuse it at first with the conjugation of sein as ist. The context of the remainder of the sentence might be most useful for realizing what verb your good friend or instructor is utilizing.  

See the completely different spellings as you conjugate essen within the chart right here:

Essen sentence instance:

• Sie essen bei Sonnenuntergang zu Abend. = They eat dinner at sundown.
  

3. Finden

Whereas finden means “to search out” within the widespread sense, like discovering a crisp 20-dollar invoice in an outdated jacket, it will also be used to speak how you are feeling about one thing. This works much like English, the place saying that you simply discover an occasion to be relatively boring. Check out the conjugation chart beneath and uncover how simple it may be to make use of this verb within the current tense:

Finden sentence instance:

• Sie wissen, wo sie Fische finden können. = They know the place they will discover fish.
  

4. Geben (to offer)

Geben (to offer) is each a stem-changing verb and an irregular verb, so it may be difficult to conjugate. Whereas its major that means is “to offer,” it’s also utilized in many commonplace phrases as an equal for the English “is.”

• es gibt = there is/there are 
• Was gibt’s? = What’s up? What’s the matter? 
• Was gibt’s zum Abendessen? = What’s for dinner? 

Consult with the next chart to discover ways to conjugate geben and use it in your personal sentences:

Geben sentence instance:

• Dann gibst du ihm fünf Euro. = Subsequent, give him 5 euros.
  

5. Haben (to have)

Haben (to have) is most frequently used to precise possession over one thing. It’s additionally utilized in German grammar with the previous participle to kind the current excellent tense. This tense is much like the easy previous tense. For instance, you may say Sie haben gestern abend einen Movie gesehen (They’ve watched a film final night time). 

Haben sentence instance:

• Die junge Frau hat schwarze Haare. = The younger girl has black hair.
  

6. Heißen (to be known as, to imply)

Heißen means “to be known as” or “to imply” in German. This verb is commonly used with names since a German would ask you what you’re known as with Wie heißt du? (What are you known as?) relatively than asking what your title is. You can too make the most of heißen to ask what a phrase you don’t perceive means with the query Wie heißt „Fahrrad“ auf Englisch? (What does Fahhrad imply in English?) or one thing comparable relying in your present state of uncertainty. 

Heißen sentence instance:

• Weißt du, wie er heißt? = Have you learnt what he’s known as?
  

7. Können (to have the opportunity, can)

Können (to have the ability to, can) is each an irregular and a modal verb. A modal verb is used at the side of one other verb. Consider them as an auxiliary verb, or serving to verb. On this case, können is used to point the power to do one thing. When utilizing a modal verb, you’ll conjugate the modal verb, however the different verb—typically an motion verb—will stay within the infinitive kind.

Können sentence instance:

• Ich muss durch den mexikanischen Zoll gehen, bevor ich dich treffen kann. = I’ve to undergo Mexican customs earlier than I can meet you.
  

8. Lassen (to let, to permit)

The German verb lassen (to let, to permit) is extremely versatile. Whereas it means “to let” or “to permit” at its core, you may also use lassen to imply “to go away one thing as it’s” or “to have one thing performed.” You get loads of bang in your buck as you discover ways to use lassen, so give it the time it deserves and examine the desk of conjugations beneath:

Lassen sentence instance:

• Ihre Eltern lassen sie mit diesen Spielzeugen nicht drinnen spielen. = Their dad and mom don’t let them play with these toys inside.
  

9. Lernen (to be taught) 

Lernen (to be taught) describes the method of buying new data—identical to you’re doing now! As one other instance of a daily German verb, lernen follows the usual sample of conjugation in all tenses. This makes lernen a superb verb with which to follow as you check out new tenses and sentence constructions.

Lernen sentence instance:

• Lernen Sie allein Deutsch? = Have you ever been studying German alone?
  

10. Machen (to make, to do)

Machen (to make, to do) is a useful verb to make use of when you’re the kind of hands-on one who likes to make issues with their very own palms. It’s a daily verb, so getting used to how this verb is conjugated might be a breeze!

Machen sentence instance:

• Sie ist morgen fällig, und ich muss noch viel machen. = It’s due tomorrow and I nonetheless have lots to do.
  

11. Mögen (to love, might)

Within the easy current, mögen means “to love” or “might.” Generally you need to say that you simply like what you’re seeing in a memento store with out saying you like it. Mögen is the proper phrase to explain that. 

As you advance in your German grammar, the subjunctive type of mögen is möchten, which implies “want to.” It’s the way you specific a want or need politely. This German verb is used typically in interactions at eating places, cafes, or shops to politely make a request.

Mögen sentence instance:

• Ich hoffe, du magst diese Halskette. = I hope you like this necklace.
  

12. Müssen (to need to, should) 

When one thing merely can’t be averted or needs to be performed, müssen (to need to, should) might be your go-to German verb. It may be used as a modal verb much like können with different verbs of their infinitive kind. Assessment the next chart to see how müssen is conjugated within the current tense:

Müssen sentence instance:

• Ja, ich muss dieses Downside lösen. = Sure, I should remedy this drawback.
  

13. Nehmen (to take)

Whether or not by pressure or easy happenstance, the phrase nehmen (to take) permits you to talk that one thing has been acquired from somebody or someplace and is now in new palms. Pay shut consideration to the stem change as you conjugate nehmen, since there’s a vowel change for some pronouns. You may see which pronoun makes use of which stem as you overview the desk beneath:

Nehmen sentence instance:

• Nehmen Sie diese Medikamente mit Milch ein. = Take this drugs with milk.
  

14. Sagen (to say)

For those who’re new to German, one can find your self utilizing sagen (to say) very often! Sagen is the best German verb while you want one thing repeated or when you’re undecided what phrase it is best to use. As an example, you may say Wie sagt mann? (How does one say?) when you’re looking for the proper German animal title. Otherwise you would possibly ask Was haben Sie gesagt? (What did you say?) to a stranger who spoke too shortly. Check out the desk beneath to learn the way to conjugate sagen.

Sagen sentence instance:

• Meine Mama sagt, dass diese Tiere aus Afrika sind. = My mom stated that these animals are from Africa.
  

15. Sehen (to see)

Witnessing the sights of Germany, from the gorgeous nature of the Black Forest to the beautiful structure is a matter of sehen (seeing, to see) to consider! Use this German verb in your expressions to explain what your visible senses decide up. The chart beneath exhibits you the right way to conjugate sehen primarily based with regards to your sentence within the current tense:

Sehen sentence instance:

• Sehen Sie sich die Ampel an. = Look on the stoplight.
  

16. Sein (to be)

Sein (to be) is often used at the side of a state of being, actions, or actions, like swimming, operating, and driving. Similar to the verb haben, it’s additionally used to kind the current excellent tense, as within the sentence Sie ist gestern abend ins Kino gegangen (She has gone to the flicks final night time). 

Sein is an irregular verb, so mastering the conjugation of sein might be essential. Within the current tense, sein is among the most essential verbs because it’s the way you kind a fundamental assertion.

• Es tut mir leid, ich bin beschäftigt. Ich muss arbeiten. = I’m sorry, I am busy. I’ve to work.
  

17. Sollen (should, ought to)

Sollen can be a modal verb. You may pair it with an infinitive to precise what one “ought to” or “should” be doing at a given time. Use it in your sentences by remembering the conjugation chart for the current tense.

Sollen sentence instance:

• Soll ich jetzt üben? = Ought to I follow?
  

18. Sprechen (to talk, to speak)

Sprechen is a German verb that means “to talk” or “to speak.” You should use this time period to explain conversations, or when a voice must be heard. Grasp the irregular conjugation of sprechen by reviewing the desk right here:

Sprechen sentence instance:

• Ja, aber ich spreche nur ein wenig Englisch. = Sure, however I solely communicate somewhat English.
  

19. Stehen (to face)

You should use stehen (to face) to explain somebody’s change of place, like standing up from sitting in a chair. It additionally signifies the place somebody is positioned, like describing that your good friend is standing within the nook of the room. Both approach, you’ll need to embrace some spatial context when utilizing this verb to assist your reader or listener perceive the way it’s getting used. (The other of stehen is sitzen (to take a seat), and it’s typically used as a German canine command simply as you’d use “sit” in English!)

Here’s a conjugation desk for stehen within the current tense:

Stehen sentence instance:

• Die Mädchen stehen auf der Brücke. = The women are standing on the bridge.
  

20. Trinken (to drink) 

Trinken means “to drink,” and will be remembered by how shut the spelling of trinken is to its English equal. We name these phrases cognates once they look alike, sound alike, and imply the identical factor between languages. On the lookout for German cognates helps make the language rather more approachable as you see the numerous similarities between the German and English languages.

This chart exhibits the conjugations for trinken:

Trinken sentence instance:

• Es ist sicher, dieses Wasser zu trinken. = It’s secure to drink this water.
  

>> Don’t lacking consuming Glühwein across the Christmas holidays!

21. Tun (to do)

Whereas sein (to be) describes what state you’re in, tun (to do) describes what you’re doing. This highly effective German verb breaks the mildew with its conjugations because it has irregular endings and sometimes drops off the -n from its stem because it conjugates throughout the current tense. Get used to how this widespread German verb conjugates with the desk right here:

Tun sentence instance:

• Ich tue mein Bestes, um Deutsch zu lernen. = I’m doing my greatest to be taught German.

22. Verstehen (to know)

Verstehen (to know) is, funnily sufficient, a simple verb to know the right way to conjugate because it’s a daily verb within the current tense. Think about using this German verb to assist others know what does and doesn’t make sense to your self or others as you peruse the desk beneath:

Verstehen sentence instance:

• Verstehst du, was er sagt? = Do you perceive what he’s saying?
  

23. Werden (to change into, will)

As a staple phrase in conversations concerning the future, werden means “to change into” or “to get” nevertheless it will also be “will.” It’s an extremely versatile German verb that’s normally paired with one other motion verb like gehen (to go). See the desk beneath for conjugations of werden:

Werden sentence instance:

• Diese Patientin muss genäht werden. = This affected person will want stitches.
  

24. Wissen (to know)

You’ll must “know” wissen (to know) as a result of it helps talk what you’re and will not be educated about. For instance, when you’re assembly with a tutor in a Rosetta Stone tutoring session, you may allow them to know what or don’t learn about utilizing this widespread German verb so you may follow it in any tense.

See the desk beneath for conjugations of wissen:

Wissen sentence instance:

• Jetzt weiß er, dass es eine schlechte Idee conflict. = Now he is aware of that it was a foul thought.
  

25. Wollen (to need)

Wollen (to need) can be utilized as a modal verb with an infinitive to precise the will to do one thing, as proven above. Or, it might probably perform as an impartial verb with a direct object to precise the will to have a chunk of a Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest cake) or Apfelstrudel.

Wollen sentence instance:

• Der Hund will das Rindfleisch essen. = The canine needs to eat the meat.
  

Extra useful and customary verbs in German verbs to know

If you wish to increase your vocabulary even additional, overview the next chart to see 40 extra useful and customary German verbs to maintain in your again pocket:

Ceaselessly requested questions on widespread German verbs

Whereas the charts of verbs are a stable begin that can assist you be taught vocabulary and fundamental conjugation, you may be inquisitive about verb tenses and conjugation. Listed below are the 2 most steadily requested questions on German verbs and their solutions.

What verb tenses are utilized in German?

Whereas all conjugations you’ve seen right here to date are within the Präsens (easy current), there are a complete of six German tenses used for verbs:

• Präsens (easy current)
• Präteritum (easy previous)
• Futur I (easy future)
• Perfekt (current excellent)
• Plusquamperfekt (previous excellent)
• Futur II (future excellent)

What are the fundamentals of normal and irregular verb conjugation?

Common German verbs will all the time comply with an ordinary sample of German verb endings when conjugated primarily based with regards to the sentence, and the stem of the verb won’t change. For irregular German verbs, spelling can differ drastically in several conjugations primarily based with regards to the sentence each for the ending of the verb and the stem.