Perfect with Haben
Most German verbs use 'haben' as the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense.
Verbs that use 'haben' include transitive verbs (verbs with direct objects) and most other verbs that don't express movement or state change.
This lesson covers which verbs use 'haben' in the perfect tense.
Explanation
Most verbs use 'haben': 'lernen' (to learn) → 'ich habe gelernt', 'machen' (to make) → 'ich habe gemacht', 'lesen' (to read) → 'ich habe gelesen'.
Transitive verbs (verbs with direct objects) always use 'haben': 'Ich habe das Buch gelesen' (I have read the book).
Reflexive verbs use 'haben': 'Ich habe mich gewaschen' (I have washed myself).
Modal verbs in perfect tense use 'haben': 'Ich habe gekonnt' (I have been able to).
Verbs with 'haben' in Perfect
| Verb | Meaning | Perfect Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| lernen | to learn | habe gelernt | Ich habe gelernt | I have learned |
| machen | to make | habe gemacht | Ich habe gemacht | I have made |
| lesen | to read | habe gelesen | Ich habe gelesen | I have read |
| essen | to eat | habe gegessen | Ich habe gegessen | I have eaten |
| trinken | to drink | habe getrunken | Ich habe getrunken | I have drunk |
| sehen | to see | habe gesehen | Ich habe gesehen | I have seen |
Examples
Ich habe Deutsch gelernt.
I have learned German.
Er hat das Buch gelesen.
He has read the book.
Wir haben gegessen.
We have eaten.
Sie hat es gemacht.
She has made it.
Common Mistakes
Ich bin gelernt
Ich habe gelernt
Most verbs use 'haben', not 'sein'. 'Lernen' uses 'haben': 'Ich habe gelernt'.
Ich habe gegangen
Ich bin gegangen
Verbs of movement use 'sein', not 'haben'. 'Gehen' uses 'sein': 'Ich bin gegangen'.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.