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This lesson deepens your understanding of the Partizip II formation for separable verbs like "aufmachen" (opened) and irregular separable verbs like "aufstehen" (stood up), highlighting patterns and exceptions such as verbs ending with "-ieren" like "studieren" (studied).
  1. Separable verbs: The "ge-" is placed between the prefix and the root.
  2. Verbs ending in -ieren never get a "ge-" prefix.
Verbtyp (Verb type)Infinitiv (Infinitive)Bildung (Formation)Hinweis (Note)Partizip II (Past Participle)
Regelmäßig trennbares Verb (Regular separable verb)aufmachenVorsilbe + ge + Stamm + tStamm: mach-aufgemacht
Unregelmäßig trennbares Verb (Irregular separable verb)

aufstehen

 

aussehen

Vorsilbe + ge- + Stamm + -en

Stammwechsel: 

steh- → stand-

seh-

aufgestanden

 

ausgesehen

Verben auf -ieren (Verbs ending in -ieren)studierenStamm + -tStamm: studier-studiert

Exceptions!

  1. Not all separable verbs are regular or irregular in the classical sense. Example: aussehen → ausgesehen (no stem change, but still irregular because sehen is irregular)

Exercise 1: Das Partizip II: Bildung und Verwendung - Vertiefung

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

Aufgestanden, Reserviert, Repariert, Ausgesehen, Studiert, Kennengelernt, Ausgeruht, Angeschaut

1. (Verb auf -ieren) Reservieren:
...
(Reserved)
2. (Regelmäßig trennbares Verb) Kennenlernen:
...
(Met)
3. (Unregelmäßig trennbares Verb) Aufstehen:
...
(Got up)
4. (Regelmäßig trennbares Verb) Ausruhen:
...
(Rested)
5. (Verb auf -ieren) Studieren:
...
(Studied)
6. (Regelmäßig trennbares Verb) Anschauen:
...
(Looked at)
7. (Unregelmäßig trennbares Verb) Aussehen:
...
(Appeared)
8. (Verb auf -ieren) Reparieren:
...
(Repaired)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Das Postamt ____ heute geschlossen.

(The post office ____ closed today.)

2. Die Geschäfte ____ sonntags oft geöffnet.

(The shops ____ often open on Sundays.)

3. Der Kaffeeautomat ____ jetzt repariert.

(The coffee machine ____ repaired now.)

4. Die Öffnungszeiten ____ an Feiertagen geändert.

(The opening hours ____ changed on public holidays.)

5. Der Laden ____ schon für die Kunden vorbereitet.

(The store ____ already prepared for the customers.)

6. Die Schaufenster ____ sauber gemacht.

(The shop windows ____ cleaned.)

Understanding the Past Participle (Partizip II) in German: Formation and Usage

This lesson deepens your understanding of the Partizip II in German, focusing on the formation and use of past participles with various verb types, especially separable and inseparable verbs, as well as verbs ending in -ieren. It is designed for beginner learners (A1 level) to build a solid foundation in recognizing patterns and exceptions in verb conjugation.

Formation of Partizip II

The past participle in German is essential for forming perfect tenses and the passive voice. This lesson explains how the Partizip II is constructed differently depending on the type of verb:

  • Regular separable verbs: They form the participle by placing ge between the prefix and the stem and adding -t. For example, aufmachen becomes aufgemacht (auf-ge-mach-t).
  • Irregular separable verbs: These also use ge between the prefix and the stem but the stem often changes, and the ending is typically -en. For example, aufstehen turns into aufgestanden (auf-ge-stand-en), and aussehen becomes ausgesehen.
  • Verbs ending in -ieren: These verbs do not take the ge- prefix and form their past participle simply by adding -t to the stem, such as studieren becoming studiert.

Important Notes

  • Not all separable verbs follow the classic regular or irregular patterns exactly. For instance, aussehen is irregular because it is derived from sehen, which is irregular, although it does not have a stem change itself.
  • The ge- prefix appears between the separable prefix and the verb stem in separable verbs only.

Key Grammar Points and Useful Phrases

Here are some typical examples that illustrate the use of the Partizip II in sentences, especially when combined with the auxiliary verbs sein or haben:

  • Das Postamt ist heute geschlossen. (The post office is closed today.)
  • Die Geschäfte sind sonntags oft geöffnet. (The shops are often open on Sundays.)
  • Der Kaffeeautomat ist jetzt repariert. (The coffee machine is now repaired.)
  • Die Öffnungszeiten sind an Feiertagen geändert. (The opening hours are changed on holidays.)
  • Der Laden ist schon für die Kunden vorbereitet. (The store is already prepared for the customers.)
  • Die Schaufenster sind sauber gemacht. (The display windows have been cleaned.)

Difference to English

Unlike English, German often places a ge- prefix in the past participle form, but this is omitted in verbs ending with -ieren. Also, separable prefixes play a key role in the formation of the Partizip II in German, which has no direct equivalent in English verb forms. Understanding the position of ge- between the prefix and stem is crucial.
Useful words include:

  • Partizip II – past participle
  • trennbare Verben – separable verbs
  • Vorsilbe – prefix
  • Stamm – stem
  • unregelmäßig – irregular

These concepts help you grasp how German verb forms work in more complex tenses, beyond simple past.

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 02:19