In German, the topic of Partizip I (Present Participle) and Partizip II (Past Participle) is a familiar one. However, in some cases, learners may confuse the usage of these two types of participles.
In German, the topics of Partizip I and Partizip II are familiar ones. However, in some cases, learners may confuse the usage of these two types of participles. In today's article, we will compare the two types of participles mentioned above.
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Partizip I | Partizip II |
- Formation: infinitive + d Example: schlafen (Infinitiv) -> schlafend (Partizip I) rennen (Infinitiv) -> rennend (Partizip I) fahren (Infinitiv) -> fahrend (Partizip I) | - Formation: it is the Partizip II used in the structure of + the present perfect tense (Perfekt) + the past perfect tense (Plusquamperfekt) + the passive voice (Passiv). |
- There are only two exceptions: sein → seiend, tun → tuend | |
- Partizip I can stand independently in a sentence: Das ist überraschend! (How surprising!) Dein Verhalten war echt enttäuschend! (Your behavior was truly disappointing!) | - Partizip II is used in the stative passive (Zustandspassiv) Das Auto ist gebraucht. (The car has been used.) |
- Partizip I can be used as an adjective to modify the noun following it when two actions occur simultaneously and have an active nature. In this case, Partizip I takes adjective endings like a regular adjective: Der telefonierende Mann trinkt einen Kaffee. = Der Mann telefoniert und trinkt einen Kaffee. (The man who is talking on the phone drinks a cup of coffee.) → The actions of talking on the phone and drinking coffee are active actions occurring simultaneously. | - Partizip II can be used as an adjective to modify the noun following it when two actions do not occur simultaneously or have a passive nature. In this case, Partizip II takes adjective endings like a regular adjective: Ich kaufe das Haus. Es ist neu gebaut. = Ich kaufe das neu gebaute Haus. (I buy the newly built house.) → The action of buying takes place in the present, while the action of building took place in the past. At the same time, the action of building has a passive nature because the house cannot build itself. |
- A sentence with Partizip I used as an adjective modifying a noun can be transformed into a relative clause: Der telefonierende Mann trinkt einen Kaffee. = Der Mann, der telefoniert, trinkt einen Kaffee. | - A sentence with Partizip II used as an adjective modifying a noun can be transformed into a relative clause: Ich kaufe das neu gebaute Haus. = Ich kaufe das Haus, das neu gebaut ist. |
Knowledge test
Distinguishing Partizip I from Partizip II in German
- 1.
Ich verkaufe das Kleid, das genäht ist.
- 2.
Das Kind weint und liegt im Bett.