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Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Learn the key stem-changing verbs in German, including fahren (to drive) with a→ä, laufen (to run) with au→äu, and essen (to eat) with e→i, focusing on changes in the 2nd and 3rd person singular forms.
  1. In these verbs, the present stem changes in the 2nd and 3rd person singular.
Stammveränderung (stem change)Verb (Verb)Beispiel (Example)
a → ä

Fahren (to drive)

auch: Schlafen, Halten (also: to sleep, to hold)

Du fährst 

Er / Sie / Es fährt

au → äu

Laufen (to run)

auch: Saufen (also: to booze)

Du läufst (You run)

Er / Sie / Es läuft (He / She / It runs)

e → i

Essen

auch: Geben, Helfen (also: give, help)

Du isst (You eat)

Er / Sie / Es isst (He / She / It eats)

e → ie

Sehen

auch: Genießen, Stehlen, (also: enjoy, steal,)

Empfehlen (Recommend)

Du siehst (You see)

Er / Sie / Es sieht (He / She / It sees)

o → öStoßen

Du stößt (You stößt)

Er / Sie / Es stößt (He / She / It stößt)

Exercise 1: Verben mit Stammveränderung

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

trinkst, läuft, stößt, fahrt, esst, helfen, hilft, fährst

1. Stoßen:
Du ... dich immer.
(You always bump yourself.)
2. Helfen:
Er ... seiner Mutter beim Einkaufen.
(He helps his mother with the shopping.)
3. Helfen:
Die Kinder ... mir nicht oft beim Einkaufen.
(The children do not often help me with shopping.)
4. Fahren:
Ihr ... morgen zum Markt, um Äpfel und Birnen zu kaufen.
(You are going to the market tomorrow to buy apples and pears.)
5. Laufen:
Die Frau ... zum Supermarkt.
(The woman runs to the supermarket.)
6. Essen:
Ihr ... viel Käse.
(You eat a lot of cheese.)
7. Fahren:
Du ... zum Supermarkt.
(You drive to the supermarket.)
8. Trinken:
Du ... Apfelsaft.
(You are drinking apple juice.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Du _____ morgen zum Supermarkt, um Obst zu kaufen.

(You _____ are going to the supermarket tomorrow to buy fruit.)

2. Er _____ schnell durch die Gänge, um die Milch zu finden.

(He _____ runs quickly through the aisles to find the milk.)

3. Sie _____ jeden Tag frisches Gemüse vom Markt.

(She _____ eats fresh vegetables from the market every day.)

4. Du _____ viele verschiedene Käsesorten im Regal.

(You _____ see many different kinds of cheese on the shelf.)

5. Er _____ den Einkaufswagen vorsichtig in den Gang.

(He _____ carefully pushes the shopping cart into the aisle.)

6. Du _____ im Supermarkt nicht, sondern kaufst schnell ein.

(You _____ do not sleep in the supermarket, but shop quickly.)

Understanding Stem-Changing Verbs (Verben mit Stammveränderung)

This lesson focuses on one of the essential aspects of the German present tense: stem-changing verbs. At level A1, you will learn how certain verbs modify their stem vowels specifically in the 2nd person singular (du) and 3rd person singular (er, sie, es) forms.

What are Stem Changes?

In German, many common verbs undergo vowel changes in their stem when conjugated in specific persons. These changes are systematic and fall into five main patterns that you will recognize and apply:

  • a → ä (e.g., fahren, schlafen, halten)
  • au → äu (e.g., laufen, saufen)
  • e → i (e.g., essen, geben, helfen)
  • e → ie (e.g., sehen, genießen, stehlen, empfehlen)
  • o → ö (e.g., stoßen)

Examples of Stem Changes in Use

Here are some typical examples showing how the stem changes appear in sentences:

  • Du fährst morgen zum Supermarkt. (You drive to the supermarket tomorrow.)
  • Er läuft schnell durch die Gänge. (He runs quickly through the aisles.)
  • Sie isst jeden Tag frisches Gemüse. (She eats fresh vegetables every day.)
  • Du siehst viele verschiedene Käsesorten. (You see many different types of cheese.)
  • Er stößt den Einkaufswagen vorsichtig an. (He carefully pushes the shopping cart.)

Important Notes on Usage

This pattern of vowel change does not appear in the 1st person singular (ich) or plural forms. It is important when forming the present tense for du and er/sie/es because the verb stem changes sound and spelling.

Comparing German Stem Changes with English

Unlike German, English does not generally change the verb stem vowel in the present tense except in the third person singular with an added -s. For example, "I run" and "he runs" share the same stem, with only the ending differing. German requires a vowel change in these verbs, which alters pronunciation and spelling, something that English learners need to pay close attention to.

Some useful phrases to practice these stem changes include:

  • fahren – to drive/go: du fährst, er fährt
  • laufen – to run: du läufst, sie läuft
  • essen – to eat: du isst, er isst
  • sehen – to see: du siehst, sie sieht
  • stoßen – to push: du stößt, er stößt

Mastering these changes is fundamental for speaking and understanding everyday German clearly and naturally.

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 13:01