German Verbs
Verbs are the core of German sentences. Understanding different types of verbs and their conjugation patterns is essential for mastering German.
Learn all types of German verbs: reflexive, separable, regular, irregular, modal verbs, sein, haben, werden, verbs with prepositions, and lassen.
Types of Verbs
Reflexive Verbs
Learn reflexive verbs that use reflexive pronouns (sich).
Separable Verbs
Master separable verbs with prefixes that separate in certain tenses.
Regular Verbs
Learn regular verbs that follow predictable conjugation patterns.
Irregular Verbs
Master irregular verbs with unique conjugation patterns.
Modal Verbs
Learn modal verbs (können, müssen, sollen, wollen, dürfen, mögen).
Sein
Master the verb 'sein' (to be) in all forms and uses.
Haben
Learn the verb 'haben' (to have) in all forms and uses.
Sein & Haben
Compare and contrast the uses of 'sein' and 'haben'.
Werden
Master the verb 'werden' (to become/will) in all its uses.
Verbs & Prepositions
Learn which prepositions certain verbs require.
Lassen
Master the verb 'lassen' (to let/allow/make) and its various uses.
Verb Conjugation Table
German verbs change their endings based on the subject (person) and tense. Here are the conjugations of common German verbs in the present tense (Präsens).
| Pronoun | sein (to be) | haben (to have) | werden (to become/will) | machen (to make/do) | lernen (to learn) | gehen (to go) | kommen (to come) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | bin | habe | werde | mache | lerne | gehe | komme |
| du | bist | hast | wirst | machst | lernst | gehst | kommst |
| er/sie/es | ist | hat | wird | macht | lernt | geht | kommt |
| wir | sind | haben | werden | machen | lernen | gehen | kommen |
| ihr | seid | habt | werdet | macht | lernt | geht | kommt |
| sie/Sie | sind | haben | werden | machen | lernen | gehen | kommen |
Note: The verbs sein, haben, and werden are irregular and have unique conjugation patterns. Regular verbs like machen and lernen follow predictable patterns. For more detailed conjugation information, visit our Verb Conjugator tool.
German Verb Endings
Regular German verbs follow predictable patterns. To conjugate a regular verb in the present tense, remove the -en ending from the infinitive to get the stem, then add the appropriate ending based on the subject.
| Pronoun | Ending | Example: lernen (to learn) | Example: machen (to make/do) | Example: wohnen (to live) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | -e | lerne | mache | wohne |
| du | -st | lernst | machst | wohnst |
| er/sie/es | -t | lernt | macht | wohnt |
| wir | -en | lernen | machen | wohnen |
| ihr | -t | lernt | macht | wohnt |
| sie/Sie | -en | lernen | machen | wohnen |
How to use: For regular verbs ending in -en, remove the -en to get the stem (e.g., lernen → lern-), then add the appropriate ending. Note that verbs ending in -d or -t may add an -e before the ending for easier pronunciation (e.g., arbeiten → arbeitest, not arbeitst).