By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Partizip I shows an active process
- Partizip II shows a completed action or condition
- Participles before nouns need adjective endings
- Partizip I is formed with -d
- Not every Partizip II is passive
- Usage, exceptions and meaning
Simple explanation
German Partizip I and Partizip II can be used as adjectives to describe people, objects, and situations. Partizip I usually describes an active action happening at the same time, while Partizip II often describes a completed action or resulting state.
Partizip I shows an active process
Partizip I commonly gives an active simultaneous relation: das schlafende Kind. Active relation does not require a willing agent: die kochende Suppe is also valid.
Partizip II shows a completed action or condition
Partizip I commonly expresses an active simultaneous relation; not every subject is a willing agent. Partizip II can express an affected result or completed active movement: der angekommene Zug is not a passive train. Both decline before nouns. Infinitive + d is not a finite verb. Lexicalized adjectives such as bekannt need not retain a literal event meaning.
Participles before nouns need adjective endings
Like normal adjectives, participles must take endings before nouns. Example: der wartende Mann, ein geschriebenes Wort.
Partizip I is formed with -d
The usual formation is infinitive + d. Example: arbeiten becomes arbeitend, lernen becomes lernend.
Not every Partizip II is passive
Der reparierte Computer describes something repaired; der angekommene Zug a train that arrived. Determine verb meaning and relation before adding the adjective ending. Ge- alone does not prove passive meaning.
From relatives to attributes
Das Kind, das schläft → das schlafende Kind illustrates simultaneity. Das Auto, das repariert wurde → das reparierte Auto illustrates an affected result. Before a noun, decline the participle for determiner and case; it is not an independent finite verb.
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Partizip I commonly expresses an active simultaneous relation; not every subject is a willing agent. Partizip II can express an affected result or completed active movement: der angekommene Zug is not a passive train. Both decline before nouns. Infinitive + d is not a finite verb. Lexicalized adjectives such as bekannt need not retain a literal event meaning.
Usage reference table
| Pattern or function | Target-language model |
|---|---|
| Partizip I shows an active process | Das weinende Kind braucht Hilfe. |
| Participles before nouns need adjective endings | Ich sehe den wartenden Mann. |
| Partizip II shows a completed action or condition | Das reparierte Auto fährt wieder. |
| Usage, exceptions and meaning | Der bereits angekommene Zug steht am Gleis. |
| Usage, exceptions and meaning | vor dem geschlossenen Fenster. |
| Meaning in context | ein schlafendes Kind |
Grammar formula
Formation of Partizip I
Infinitiv + dlernen → lernend → ein lernendes Kind
Partizip I with adjective endings
Artikel + Partizip I + Adjektivendung + NomenDer wartende Mann steht draußen.
Partizip II with adjective endings
Partizip II + Adjektivendung + NomenDie gekaufte Wohnung ist groß.
Core rules
- 1
Partizip I shows an active process
Partizip I commonly gives an active simultaneous relation: das schlafende Kind. Active relation does not require a willing agent: die kochende Suppe is also valid.
- 2
Partizip II shows a completed action or condition
Partizip I commonly expresses an active simultaneous relation; not every subject is a willing agent. Partizip II can express an affected result or completed active movement: der angekommene Zug is not a passive train. Both decline before nouns. Infinitive + d is not a finite verb. Lexicalized adjectives such as bekannt need not retain a literal event meaning.
- 3
Participles before nouns need adjective endings
Like normal adjectives, participles must take endings before nouns. Example: der wartende Mann, ein geschriebenes Wort.
- 4
Partizip I is formed with -d
The usual formation is infinitive + d. Example: arbeiten becomes arbeitend, lernen becomes lernend.
- 5
Not every Partizip II is passive
Der reparierte Computer describes something repaired; der angekommene Zug a train that arrived. Determine verb meaning and relation before adding the adjective ending. Ge- alone does not prove passive meaning.
- 6
From relatives to attributes
Das Kind, das schläft → das schlafende Kind illustrates simultaneity. Das Auto, das repariert wurde → das reparierte Auto illustrates an affected result. Before a noun, decline the participle for determiner and case; it is not an independent finite verb.
- 7
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Partizip I commonly expresses an active simultaneous relation; not every subject is a willing agent. Partizip II can express an affected result or completed active movement: der angekommene Zug is not a passive train. Both decline before nouns. Infinitive + d is not a finite verb. Lexicalized adjectives such as bekannt need not retain a literal event meaning.
Useful examples
Das weinende Kind braucht seine Mutter.
The crying child needs its mother.
weinende comes from weinen and describes an action happening now.
Ein wartender Kunde steht vor der Tür.
A waiting customer is standing in front of the door.
wartender describes a person who is actively waiting.
Die arbeitenden Menschen sind sehr konzentriert.
The working people are very focused.
arbeitenden shows that the people are doing the action themselves.
Ich sehe einen schlafenden Hund im Garten.
I see a sleeping dog in the garden.
schlafenden is Partizip I from schlafen.
Die gekaufte Wohnung ist sehr hell.
The purchased apartment is very bright.
gekaufte describes the result of a completed action.
Das geschlossene Fenster bleibt den ganzen Tag zu.
The closed window stays shut all day.
geschlossen describes a current state.
Der reparierte Computer funktioniert wieder.
The repaired computer works again.
reparierte shows the result of a repair action.
Wir besuchen eine bekannte Stadt.
We are visiting a well-known city.
bekannte comes from kennen and works as an adjective.
Ein lächelnder Mann begrüßt die Gäste.
A smiling man welcomes the guests.
lächelnder describes an action happening at the same time.
Die schnell wachsende Firma sucht Mitarbeiter.
The fast-growing company is looking for employees.
wachsende describes an ongoing development.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Das weinen Kind braucht Hilfe. ✅ Das weinende Kind braucht Hilfe.
- ❌ Ich sehe den wartende Mann. ✅ Ich sehe den wartenden Mann.
- ❌ Das reparieren Auto fährt wieder. ✅ Das reparierte Auto fährt wieder.
- ❌ Der bereits ankommend Zug steht am Gleis. ✅ Der bereits angekommene Zug steht am Gleis.
- ❌ vor dem geschlossene Fenster. ✅ vor dem geschlossenen Fenster.
- ❌ ein schlafendes Kind → the result of an action affecting the noun ✅ ein schlafendes Kind → an ongoing active activity
Learning tips
- First decide whether the action is happening now or the result already exists.
- Remember: Partizip I is usually active, Partizip II often describes a result.
- Learn participles together with example nouns and articles.
- Pay attention to adjective endings after articles.
- This structure is common in descriptions, news, and formal German texts.
Use it in your own text
Write six new sentences about your life, experiences or views. Use the rules and table and check why each form fits. The models are illustrations; you need not force every form into one text. This is self-assessment; the test score is recorded separately.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Partizip I shows an active process”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Partizip II shows a completed action or condition”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Participles before nouns need adjective endings”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Partizip I is formed with -d”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Not every Partizip II is passive”.
- Compare the form and meaning of two of your examples and explain the difference.
Show the model
Das weinende Kind braucht seine Mutter. Ein wartender Kunde steht vor der Tür. Die arbeitenden Menschen sind müde. Ich sehe einen schlafenden Hund im Garten. Die gekaufte Wohnung ist sehr hell. Das geschlossene Fenster bleibt den ganzen Tag zu.
Check your own work
- My intended meaning fits the chosen construction.
- I checked subject, verb form, case/preposition and word order.
- I adapted the models to my own context and considered the exceptions.
Put it into practice
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Related grammar
Related dictionary words
Frequently asked questions
What matters for “Partizip I shows an active process”?
Partizip I commonly gives an active simultaneous relation: das schlafende Kind. Active relation does not require a willing agent: die kochende Suppe is also valid.
What matters for “Partizip II shows a completed action or condition”?
Partizip I commonly expresses an active simultaneous relation; not every subject is a willing agent. Partizip II can express an affected result or completed active movement: der angekommene Zug is not a passive train. Both decline before nouns. Infinitive + d is not a finite verb. Lexicalized adjectives such as bekannt need not retain a literal event meaning.
What matters for “Participles before nouns need adjective endings”?
Like normal adjectives, participles must take endings before nouns. Example: der wartende Mann, ein geschriebenes Wort.
What matters for “Partizip I is formed with -d”?
The usual formation is infinitive + d. Example: arbeiten becomes arbeitend, lernen becomes lernend.
What matters for “Not every Partizip II is passive”?
Der reparierte Computer describes something repaired; der angekommene Zug a train that arrived. Determine verb meaning and relation before adding the adjective ending. Ge- alone does not prove passive meaning.
What matters for “From relatives to attributes”?
Das Kind, das schläft → das schlafende Kind illustrates simultaneity. Das Auto, das repariert wurde → das reparierte Auto illustrates an affected result. Before a noun, decline the participle for determiner and case; it is not an independent finite verb.
What matters for “Usage, exceptions and meaning”?
Partizip I commonly expresses an active simultaneous relation; not every subject is a willing agent. Partizip II can express an affected result or completed active movement: der angekommene Zug is not a passive train. Both decline before nouns. Infinitive + d is not a finite verb. Lexicalized adjectives such as bekannt need not retain a literal event meaning.
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