Sein & Haben
'Sein' (to be) and 'haben' (to have) are the two most important verbs in German. They're used constantly and have many different functions.
Understanding when to use 'sein' vs 'haben' is crucial for correct German grammar, especially in perfect tense.
This lesson compares and contrasts the uses of 'sein' and 'haben'.
Explanation
'Sein' expresses identity, location, time, and characteristics: 'Ich bin Student' (I am a student), 'Er ist in Berlin' (He is in Berlin).
'Haben' expresses possession, relationships, and characteristics: 'Ich habe ein Auto' (I have a car), 'Er hat Hunger' (He is hungry).
In perfect tense: Most verbs use 'haben', but verbs of movement and state change use 'sein': 'Ich habe gelernt' (I have learned) vs 'Ich bin gegangen' (I have gone).
'Sein' is used as auxiliary for: gehen, kommen, fahren, werden, bleiben, sterben, wachsen (movement/state change).
'Haben' is used as auxiliary for: most other verbs including lernen, machen, lesen, essen, trinken.
Sein vs Haben - Usage
| Use | Sein | Haben | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| Identity | Ich bin Student | - | I am a student |
| Location | Er ist in Berlin | - | He is in Berlin |
| Possession | - | Ich habe ein Auto | I have a car |
| Perfect - Movement | Ich bin gegangen | - | I have gone |
| Perfect - Most verbs | - | Ich habe gelernt | I have learned |
Examples
Ich bin Student und habe ein Auto.
I am a student and have a car.
Er ist in Berlin gewesen.
He has been in Berlin.
Ich habe Deutsch gelernt.
I have learned German.
Sie ist nach Hause gegangen.
She has gone home.
Wir haben Zeit gehabt.
We have had time.
Common Mistakes
Ich habe gegangen
Ich bin gegangen
Verbs of movement use 'sein' in perfect tense, not 'haben'. 'Ich bin gegangen', not 'Ich habe gegangen'.
Ich bin gelernt
Ich habe gelernt
Most verbs use 'haben' in perfect tense, not 'sein'. 'Lernen' uses 'haben': 'Ich habe gelernt'.
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.