In German, there are two types of passive voice (Passiv): the process passive (Vorgangspassiv) and the stative passive (Zustandspassiv). Today, Vogel will explain these two types of passive voice together with you.
In German, there are two types of passive voice (Passiv): the process passive (Vorgangspassiv) and the state passive (Zustandspassiv). Today, Vogel will explain both types of passive voice with you.
| Vorgangspassiv is used to describe an action that is still in the process of being carried out. Vorgangspassiv is formed with the verb "werden" and Partizip II. | Zustandspassiv is used to describe a state after an action has been completed — it describes the result of an action. Zustandspassiv is formed with the verb "sein" and Partizip II. |
Aktivsatz (Active sentence): Rolf repariert das Auto. (Rolf repairs the car.) | Das Auto wird repariert. (The car is still being repaired.) | Das Auto ist repariert. (The car has been repaired.) |
!!! Note: Some verbs cannot form passive sentences, such as: verbs that combine with "sein" in the present perfect, verbs describing states (sein, haben, bleiben, besitzen, erhalten, bekommen...), reflexive verbs (reflexive Verben), Modalverben (können, dürfen, sollen,..), and other verbs such as wissen, kosten, kennen,...
Example:
- „Ich bin zum Zahnarzt gegangen."
In this sentence, the passive cannot be used because only I myself can go (zum Zahnarzt gehen). No one can go (gehen) on my behalf.
- „Ich konzentriere mich."In this sentence, the passive voice cannot be used because the reflexive verb "konzentriere mich" always refers to the subject of the action and always requires a subject in the sentence. No one, except me, can make me concentrate — only I myself can do that.
Knowledge test
Passive voice in German - Zustandspassiv oder Vorgangspassiv
- 1.
Anna schließt die Tür.
- 2.
Der Arzt operiert den Patienten.
- 3.
Der Koch schneidet Kartoffeln.