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This lesson explains the formation and use of the Partizip II in German, covering regular verbs like »malen« → »gemalt«, verbs with stems ending in -d or -t such as »öffnen« → »geöffnet«, and irregular verbs like »schließen« → »geschlossen«. Learn how to apply it in perfect tenses and in passive voice contexts.
  1. The past participle is used for the perfect tense, the pluperfect, and the future perfect.
  2. The past participle II also appears in the passive voice: process passive and state passive.
  3. The past participle can also be used like an adjective and then agrees in case, number, and gender. Example: the closed door, the opened shop.
Verbtyp (Verb type)Infinitiv (infinitive)Bildung (Formation)Hinweis (Note)Partizip II (Past Participle)
Regelmäßig (Regular)malen (to paint)ge- + Stamm + -tStamm: mal-gemalt (gepainted)
Regelmäßig mit (Regular with)
Stammendung auf -d oder -t oder -n   (Stem ending in -d or -t or -n)

öffnen (to open)

atmen (to breathe)

ge- + Stamm + -e + -t

Stamm: öffn-

atm-

geöffnet (geopened)

geatmet (geatmet)

Unregelmäßig (Irregular)schließen (to close)ge- + Stamm + -en

Stammwechsel: 

schließ- → schloss-

geschlossen (geclosen)

Exceptions!

  1. Irregular verbs often show a stem change (e.g. schreiben → geschrieben) or are not predictable. They often have to be learned by heart.

Exercise 1: Das Partizip II: Bildung und Verwendung

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Geschlafen, Gegossen, Gemietet, Benutzt, Gespielt, Geschlossen, Gestellt, Gekauft

1. (Unregelmäßig, Stammwechsel: goss-) Gießen:
...
(Gegossen)
2. (Unregelmäßig) Schlafen:
...
(Geschlafen)
3. (Regelmäßig) Spielen:
...
(Gespielt)
4. (Regelmäßig) Benutzen:
...
(Benutzt)
5. (Regelmäßig) Stellen:
...
(Gestellt)
6. (Unregelmäßig, Stammwechsel: schloss-) Schließen:
...
(Geschlossen)
7. (Regelmäßig) Kaufen:
...
(Gekauft)
8. (Regelmäßig) Mieten:
...
(Gemietet)

Exercise 2: Dialogue completion

Instruction: Complete the dialogue with the correct solution

1. Das Postamt ist heute _______.

( The post office is _______ today.)

2. Die Fenster sind ________, damit frische Luft hereinkommt.

( The windows are ________, so fresh air can come in.)

3. Die Geschäfte sind am Sonntag nicht _______.

( The shops are not _______ on Sunday.)

4. Die Pakete sind schon _______ und warten auf den Versand.

( The packages are already _______ and waiting for shipment.)

5. Das Restaurant ist wegen Renovierung heute _______.

( The restaurant is _______ today because of renovation.)

6. Der Briefkasten ist schon _________ worden.

( The mailbox has already been ________.)

Understanding the Participle II in German: Formation and Usage

This lesson focuses on the formation and use of the Partizip II, commonly known as the past participle in German. Mastery of Partizip II is essential for constructing perfect tenses such as the Perfekt, Plusquamperfekt, and Futur II. It also plays a key role in passive voice constructions and serves as an adjective in some contexts.

How to Form the Participle II

  • Regular verbs: Add ge- at the beginning and -t at the end of the verb stem.
    Example: malen becomes gemalt (ge + mal + t).
  • Regular verbs with stem endings in -d, -t, or -n: Add ge- at the beginning, -e- before the -t ending.
    Examples: öffnen becomes geöffnet (ge + öffn + et), atmen becomes geatmet.
  • Irregular verbs: Usually formed with ge- at the start and -en at the end, often involving a stem vowel change.
    Example: schließen becomes geschlossen (ge + schloss + en), noting the stem vowel change from schließ- to schloss-.

Uses of the Participle II

  • Perfect tenses: Form the present perfect, past perfect, and future perfect to describe completed actions.
  • Passive voice: Used for actions and states, for example, in the Vorgangspassiv and Zustandspassiv.
  • Adjectival use: The participle can act as an adjective, adapting to case, number, and gender.
    Example: die geschlossene Tür (the closed door), der geöffnete Laden (the opened shop).

Important Notes

Irregular verbs often require memorization due to unpredictable stem changes. Regular verbs follow consistent patterns that make their participle forms easier to learn.

Instruction Language vs. German

Since English is the language of instruction here, it’s important to note differences and useful phrases between English and German related to past participles:

  • English past participle: Often ends with -ed for regular verbs and varies irregularly (e.g., write – written).
  • German Partizip II: Typically marked by the prefix ge- and suffixes -t or -en, with vowel changes for irregular verbs (e.g., schreiben – geschrieben).
  • Useful phrases: Perfekt bilden (to form the perfect tense), Partizip II verwenden (to use the past participle), Passivsatz (passive sentence).

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 18:59