In German, the past participle is called "Partizip 2" or "Partizip Perfekt". It is used as part of certain verb forms, but also as an adjective, an adverb, or a noun.

How to Form the Past Participle

Strong Verbs

For strong verbs, use the following rule:

ge + (often changed) verb stem + en

Weak and Mixed Verbs

For weak and mixed verbs, use this rule:

ge + (often changed) verb stem + t



Weak and Mixed Verbs whose Verb Stem Ends with "-n", "-t" or "-d"

If the stem of a verb ends with "-n", "-t" or "-d", the "-t" becomes "-et". This is not the case for "-nn", or if two vowels (ei, eu, etc.) or an elongated vowel (äh, oh, etc.) precede the "n".

For these verbs, use the following rule:

"ge" + verb stem + "-et"



Verbs with the Ending "-ieren"

For most verbs with the ending "-ieren" forming the past participle is very simple. You do not need the prefix "ge-".

This is how it works:

verb stem + "-t"






Verbs with a Prefix

To form the past participle of verbs with a prefix we need to distinguish between separable and inseparable verbs.

1) Separable Verbs with a Prefix

For separable verbs with a prefix, the past participle is formed as follows:

Prefix + ge + (sometimes changed) verb stem + -t


2) Inseparable Verbs with a Prefix

For inseparable verbs with a prefix, the past participle is formed as follows:

prefix + verb stem + -t


Unfortunately, there are exceptions in which the past participle is formed in a completely different way, but do not lose heart - learn them by heart instead. One by one!

How to Use the Past Participle

Verb Forms

1) Present Perfect

The most common way to use the past participle is as part of the present perfect, a past tense Germans usually use when they talk about the past. To form the present perfect, we need to add the right form of "haben" (to have) or "sein" (to be).


2) Subjunctive 2

The past participle is also commonly used as part of the subjunctive 2. For this, we need to add the right form of "haben" or "sein" in the subjunctive mood.


3) Passive Voice

The past participle is also used for the passive voice. In this case we need to add the right form of the auxiliary "werden".


4) Future Tense 2

The future tense 2 also uses the past participle. (As it is an awkward form it is rarely used in reality, however.) First, the right form of the auxiliary "werden" is added, then the infinitive of "haben" or "sein" - depending on which of the two is used to form the present perfect tense of the verb.


Adverb

The past participle can also be used as an adverb and describe other verbs, sentences, or adjectives. It always stays the same and is not subject to declension.


Adjektive

If the past participle is used as an adjective - a word that describes nouns - it is subject to declension, just like the noun it describes.


Noun

If the past participle is used as a noun it is subject to declension like any other noun.