Regular Verbs
Regular verbs (also called weak verbs) follow predictable conjugation patterns. They are the easiest verbs to learn in German.
Once you learn the pattern for regular verbs, you can conjugate hundreds of verbs correctly.
This lesson covers how to conjugate regular verbs in German.
Explanation
To conjugate regular verbs: Remove '-en' from the infinitive to get the stem, then add endings: -e (ich), -st (du), -t (er/sie/es), -en (wir/sie/Sie), -t (ihr).
Example: 'lernen' (to learn) → stem: 'lern' → ich lerne, du lernst, er/sie/es lernt, wir lernen, ihr lernt, sie lernen.
Regular verbs form past participle by adding 'ge-' prefix and '-t' suffix: 'lernen' → 'gelernt' (learned).
Most German verbs are regular, making this pattern very important to master.
Regular Verb Conjugation - Present Tense
| Subject | lernen (to learn) | machen (to make) | wohnen (to live) | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | lerne | mache | wohne | I learn/make/live |
| du | lernst | machst | wohnst | You learn/make/live |
| er/sie/es | lernt | macht | wohnt | He/she/it learns/makes/lives |
| wir | lernen | machen | wohnen | We learn/make/live |
| ihr | lernt | macht | wohnt | You learn/make/live |
| sie/Sie | lernen | machen | wohnen | They/You learn/make/live |
Examples
Ich lerne Deutsch.
I learn German.
Er macht seine Hausaufgaben.
He does his homework.
Wir wohnen in Berlin.
We live in Berlin.
Sie spielt Tennis.
She plays tennis.
Common Mistakes
Ich lern
Ich lerne
First person singular (ich) requires the '-e' ending: 'lerne', not 'lern'.
Du lernt
Du lernst
Second person singular (du) requires the '-st' ending: 'lernst', not 'lernt'.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
Start Exercises →Related Topics
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.