By the end of this lesson, I can…
- Formation with sein and Partizip II
- The result is more important than the action
- Partizip II does not change
- A state in the past
- Asking about a result
- Usage, exceptions and meaning
Simple explanation
Zustandspassiv is a German passive structure used to describe a current state that exists after an action has been completed. It is formed with sein and the Partizip II form of a verb. The focus is on the result or condition, not on the action itself.
Formation with sein and Partizip II
Zustandspassiv is formed with a conjugated form of sein followed by the Partizip II form of the main verb. Example: Das Fenster ist geöffnet.
The result is more important than the action
The focus is on the condition after an action. The person who caused the action is usually not important.
Partizip II does not change
The Partizip II form stays the same. Only the verb sein changes according to the subject and tense.
A state in the past
Use war/waren + participle for a past state: Als wir ankamen, war die Tür geschlossen. This differs from the closing process, wurde geschlossen. Both constructions can refer to past time.
Asking about a result
Ist die Rechnung bezahlt? asks about the present result; Wird sie bezahlt? about the process. Schon/noch nicht can clarify result status. Do not infer the construction from one adverb alone: inspect auxiliary and main verb too.
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Die Tür ist geschlossen describes a state, Die Tür wird geschlossen a process. Not every sein + Partizip II is a state passive: Er ist angekommen is active Perfekt. Check the verb's meaning. Predicative participles have no adjective ending; before nouns they do: die geschlossene Tür. Past states use war/waren.
Usage reference table
| Pattern or function | Target-language model |
|---|---|
| Formation with sein and Partizip II | Die Tür ist bereits geschlossen. |
| Formation with sein and Partizip II | Die Türen sind bereits geschlossen. |
| Usage, exceptions and meaning | Als wir ankamen, war die Tür bereits geschlossen. |
| Partizip II does not change | Die Tür ist geschlossen. |
| Usage, exceptions and meaning | Ist die Tür schon geschlossen? |
| Meaning in context | Das Fenster wird gerade geöffnet. |
Grammar formula
Positive sentence
Subjekt + sein + Partizip IIDie Wohnung ist renoviert.
Negative sentence
Subjekt + sein + nicht + Partizip IIDie Tür ist nicht geöffnet.
Question sentence
sein + Subjekt + Partizip II?Ist das Fenster geschlossen?
Core rules
- 1
Formation with sein and Partizip II
Zustandspassiv is formed with a conjugated form of sein followed by the Partizip II form of the main verb. Example: Das Fenster ist geöffnet.
- 2
The result is more important than the action
The focus is on the condition after an action. The person who caused the action is usually not important.
- 3
Partizip II does not change
The Partizip II form stays the same. Only the verb sein changes according to the subject and tense.
- 4
A state in the past
Use war/waren + participle for a past state: Als wir ankamen, war die Tür geschlossen. This differs from the closing process, wurde geschlossen. Both constructions can refer to past time.
- 5
Asking about a result
Ist die Rechnung bezahlt? asks about the present result; Wird sie bezahlt? about the process. Schon/noch nicht can clarify result status. Do not infer the construction from one adverb alone: inspect auxiliary and main verb too.
- 6
Usage, exceptions and meaning
Die Tür ist geschlossen describes a state, Die Tür wird geschlossen a process. Not every sein + Partizip II is a state passive: Er ist angekommen is active Perfekt. Check the verb's meaning. Predicative participles have no adjective ending; before nouns they do: die geschlossene Tür. Past states use war/waren.
Useful examples
Die Tür ist geschlossen.
The door is closed.
The current state of the door is important, not the action of closing it.
Das Fenster ist geöffnet.
The window is open.
The sentence describes the result of opening the window.
Das Auto ist repariert.
The car is repaired.
The repair is finished and the result is visible.
Die Wohnung ist komplett renoviert.
The apartment is completely renovated.
The completed condition after renovation is emphasized.
Der Tisch ist gedeckt.
The table is set.
The table is ready for a meal.
Die Aufgaben sind schon gemacht.
The tasks are already done.
The important point is that the tasks are completed.
Das Problem ist gelöst.
The problem is solved.
The current situation after solving the problem is described.
Die Fenster sind noch nicht geputzt.
The windows have not been cleaned yet.
A negative current state is expressed.
Ist die Bestellung vorbereitet?
Is the order prepared?
In yes/no questions, sein comes before the subject.
Alle Dokumente sind unterschrieben.
All documents are signed.
The result of signing is now complete.
Common mistakes
- ❌ Die Tür sind bereits geschlossen. ✅ Die Tür ist bereits geschlossen.
- ❌ Die Türen ist bereits geschlossen. ✅ Die Türen sind bereits geschlossen.
- ❌ Als wir ankamen, waren die Tür bereits geschlossen. ✅ Als wir ankamen, war die Tür bereits geschlossen.
- ❌ Die Tür ist schließen. ✅ Die Tür ist geschlossen.
- ❌ Sind die Tür schon geschlossen? ✅ Ist die Tür schon geschlossen?
- ❌ Das Fenster wird gerade geöffnet. → a resulting state ✅ Das Fenster wird gerade geöffnet. → a process or action
Learning tips
- Ask yourself: Am I describing an action or a result?
- Use Zustandspassiv when the condition after an action is important.
- Learn common Partizip II forms together with sein.
- Compare werden and sein to understand passive structures better.
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 “Formation with sein and Partizip II”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “The result is more important than the action”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Partizip II does not change”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “A state in the past”.
- Write a new example about a real or imagined situation using “Asking about a result”.
- Compare the form and meaning of two of your examples and explain the difference.
Show the model
Die Tür ist geschlossen. Das Fenster ist geöffnet. Das Auto ist repariert. Die Wohnung ist komplett renoviert. Der Tisch ist gedeckt. Die Aufgaben sind schon gemacht.
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 “Formation with sein and Partizip II”?
Zustandspassiv is formed with a conjugated form of sein followed by the Partizip II form of the main verb. Example: Das Fenster ist geöffnet.
What matters for “The result is more important than the action”?
The focus is on the condition after an action. The person who caused the action is usually not important.
What matters for “Partizip II does not change”?
The Partizip II form stays the same. Only the verb sein changes according to the subject and tense.
What matters for “A state in the past”?
Use war/waren + participle for a past state: Als wir ankamen, war die Tür geschlossen. This differs from the closing process, wurde geschlossen. Both constructions can refer to past time.
What matters for “Asking about a result”?
Ist die Rechnung bezahlt? asks about the present result; Wird sie bezahlt? about the process. Schon/noch nicht can clarify result status. Do not infer the construction from one adverb alone: inspect auxiliary and main verb too.
What matters for “Usage, exceptions and meaning”?
Die Tür ist geschlossen describes a state, Die Tür wird geschlossen a process. Not every sein + Partizip II is a state passive: Er ist angekommen is active Perfekt. Check the verb's meaning. Predicative participles have no adjective ending; before nouns they do: die geschlossene Tür. Past states use war/waren.
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