TOPIC · Tenses (Zeitformen)

Present perfect tense with sein or haben

A1A2

After this lesson, learners will be able to distinguish when to use 'sein' and when to use 'haben' in the present perfect tense.

In the German language, the present perfect (Perfekt) is used to express actions that occurred in the past. The structure is as follows: sein/haben + past participle. The choice of auxiliary verb (sein or haben) depends on the main verb in the past participle. Let's explore which verbs go with sein and which with haben in the Perfekt.

1. Using haben

Most verbs use the auxiliary verb haben in the perfect form.

VerbExampleTranslation
habenWir haben eine neue Sprache gelernt.We have learned a new language.
habenEr hat letzte Woche einen Film gesehen.He saw a movie last week.
habenSie haben das Konzert genossen.They enjoyed the concert.

2. Using sein

Verbs that use sein are often:

  • Movement verbs (fahren, gehen, fallen, fliegen, umziehen, kommen, reisen)
  • Verbs indicating a change of state (aufwachsen, einschlafen, sterben, zerfallen)
  • Some special verbs (passieren, bleiben, geschehen)
VerbExampleTranslation
seinIch bin nach München gereist.I traveled to Munich.
seinWir sind gestern spät ins Bett gegangen.We went to bed late yesterday.
seinWas ist passiert?What happened?

3. Special cases

Typically, the verbs sein, werden, haben, and modal verbs are used in the simple past (Präteritum) rather than the perfect tense (Perfekt).

ExampleTranslation
Letzte Woche war ich krank.Last week I was sick.
Sie musste die Arbeit beenden.She had to finish the work.

4. Verbs that can use both auxiliaries

Some verbs can be conjugated with both sein and haben in Perfekt:

  • When indicating movement or a change of state, they use sein.
  • When not indicating movement, they use haben.
VerbExample with seinExample with habenTranslation
tanzenWir sind im Garten getanzt.Wir haben einen Tango getanzt.We danced in the garden. / We danced a tango.
schwimmenIch bin im Fluss geschwommen.Ich habe das Wasser genossen.I swam in the river. / I enjoyed the water.