German Verb Conjugation in the Present Tense

Conjugating verbs in the present tense is a fundamental skill when learning the German language. The Präsens is used to:

• Express actions happening now: Ich lerne Deutsch. (I am learning German.)

• Describe future actions (especially with time indicators): Morgen fahre ich nach Berlin. (I’m going to Berlin tomorrow.)

• State general truths or facts: Water boils at 100 degrees.

German verbs are categorized into different types that influence how they are conjugated, especially in the present tense:

• Weak verbs (Schwache Verben) – regular

• Strong verbs (Starke Verben) – irregular vowel change

• Irregular verbs (Unregelmäßige Verben) – exceptions

1. Schwache Verben (Weak Verbs)

These are regular verbs. Their stems stay the same, and they follow standard present tense endings.

Example: lernen (to learn)
Stem: lern-

🟢 Key Feature: predictable endings and unchanged stem.

2. Starke Verben (Strong Verbs)

Strong verbs are irregular in the sense that they change the stem vowel in the 2nd and 3rd person singular forms. These are often high-frequency verbs.

Example: fahren (to drive)
Stem: fahr- → fähr-

🟡 Key Feature: vowel change in the stem (a → ä, e → i/ie, etc.) in some forms, but still follows regular endings.

Other examples:

• sehen → siehst, sieht

• lesen → liest, liest

• nehmen → nimmst, nimmt

3. Unregelmäßige Verben (Irregular Verbs)

This category sometimes overlaps with strong verbs but includes verbs that:

• Change their stem vowel (like strong verbs)

• AND/OR have irregularities in their endings or stem consonants.

Examples:

• verb sein (to be)

• verb haben (have)

• verb werden (become) – completely irregular

🔴 Key Feature: both stem and endings may be irregular.

Verb Types and Conjugation Rules

Special Rule: Verbs with Stems Ending in s, ß, x, or z

If a verb’s stem ends in s, ß, x, or z, the 2nd person singular (du) drops the usual -s from the ending -st, and uses just -t.

❓ Why? Adding both an s in the stem and the -st ending would create awkward double s-sounds like "ssst", which are avoided.

Examples

❗ Important: This applies only to du (2nd person singular), not to ihr or others.