If you are learning German then, like me, you probably learned the conjugation of the verbs sein (to be) and haben (to have) in your very first lesson. Verbs are the most important part of speech and mastering them plays a key role in learning German. Nevertheless, learning them can be quite a challenge due to their variety and various grammatical forms. In this article, you’ll find the most important German verb topics explained in simple terms, as well as a list containing the most important German verbs with conjugation to help you memorize them more easily.
Let’s get started!
German verbs conjugation
The key element you need to understand to conjugate a verb correctly is how the endings change for different persons and numbers. This is called the conjugation of German verbs. Most German verbs undergo regular conjugation. This means that we remove the infinitive ending “-en” and replace it with the appropriate person ending.
Irregular verbs: the exception that proves the rule
An important issue in German grammar is irregular verbs. Irregularity of verbs was originally the norm. That is, verb forms were “regular” when they were irregular. This is how languages evolved – largely through random processes. Over time, language has changed. Verbs such as haben, sein, and kommen, which are very common, have retained their highly irregular conjugation pattern, while the conjugation pattern of less common verbs (such as arbeiten or schicken) has changed. Today, the most commonly used verbs are irregular. Therefore, we will start precisely with these verbs. Here are the most important issues related to them:
- There are fewer irregular verbs than regular ones, but they are the most commonly used in German. Therefore, in order to start communicating fluently, you must first master and automate the various forms of irregular verbs.
- Verbs are irregular when the vowel in their subject changes in the second (du) and third person singular (er, sie, es); for example, in the case of the verb essen (eat), the first “e” changes to an “i”:
| German | German |
|---|---|
| ich | esse |
| du | isst |
| er/sie/es | isst |
| wir | essen |
| ihr | esst |
| sie/Sie | essen |
You have to learn the conjugation of irregular verbs by heart. Although they are irregular, you can find some regularities and repeating patterns that will help you memorize them.
A list of 30 most frequently used verbs in German and their conjugation
Verbs are the most important elements of a sentence in German. You can’t build a sentence without a verb, but did you know you only need 30 verbs to cover 70% of what you need in a conversation?
How to consolidate new vocabulary with the Taalhammer app
Knowing foreign languages is a necessity in today’s world. The Taalhammer app was created to prove to you that you don’t need talent to learn a language. All you need is the right attitude, regular learning, and a little time so that you can communicate freely in a foreign language. Our application can be used by both beginners and more advanced learners. All this is thanks to the ability to create your own content. We have already written about the importance of learning in whole sentences. Take a look at our German language course.
The best way to consolidate new verbs will be to create a collection with your own sentences. Use vocabulary that is useful to you. Create sentences that will be useful to you at work or in everyday life. This way you will immediately be able to put what you have learned into practice and you will feel great satisfaction from learning. Good luck in learning German!
