Partizip als Adjektiv

As we already know, there are many ways to form an adjective. Besides using nouns or verbs, we can use the Partizip in the present or past tense to form adjectives. So how do we form adjectives from the Partizip? Let's explore this together in the article below.

Let's get started!

First, let's look at some examples:

1. Der Zug fährt durch einen Tunne (1 sentence)

2. der Zug, der durch einen Tunnel fährt (1 word)

3. der durch einen Tunnel fahrende Zug (1 phrase)

As we can see, there can be a transformation between the 3 examples above — example (1) can be converted into example (2) or (3), and conversely, the last 2 examples can also be converted back into example (1). However, there is a difference: the verb in example (1) has become an adjective in example (3).

In German, long adjectival phrases formed from the Partizip are commonly used in written language and in texts with a high level of linguistic sophistication, such as in legal, scientific texts, etc.

The way to form adjectives from the Partizip is very simple and easy to remember:

• Partizip I (Partizip Präsens)

Ví dụ: parken + "d" = parkend

parken + "d" + Adjektivendung = das parkende Auto (the car that is parked)

• When used as an adjective, Partizip I always carries an active meaning and expresses an action that is currently taking place.

• Partizip I carries a passive meaning when expressing an action that needs to be or can be carried out, in the following structure:

Example: Die Vitamine, die täglich eingenommen werden müssen/können = Die täglich einzunehmenden Vitamine

• Partizip II (Partizip Perfekt)

Example: das geparkte Auto (the car that has been parked)

ein gekauftes Haus (a house that has been bought)

Partizip II used as an adjective carries an active meaning when it is the Partizip II of verbs that take the auxiliary verb "sein" in the perfect tense (Perfekt).

Example: ankommen, vergehen.

In this case, Partizip II is used to express an action that has already been completed.

• Note: - When there are elements accompanying the Partizip, they always stand to the left of the Partizip and do not take an adjective ending.

• The Partizip II of the verbs "sein", "haben", and verbs that take no Akkusativ object such as: arbeiten, leben, schlafen, sitzen, stehen, antworten, danken, drohen, gefallen, nützen, schaden cannot be used as adjectives.