Participle Adjectives For Intermediate learners
What is a Participle Adjective?
A participle adjective is a verb form that is used as an adjective. Its main function is to describe nouns, and its English translation usually ends with "-ing" or "-ed". In German, there are two type of participles:
Present Participle
Past Participle
Present Participle
The formation of the present participle is quite easy. You only need to add –d to the infinitive form of the verb. The present participle has an active meaning and describes an action or performance.
Infinitive + -d
laufen → laufend
Der laufende Mann atmet schwer.
The running man is breathing heavily.
schwimmen → schwimmend
Die schwimmenden Fische sind bunt.
The swimming fish are colorful.
When the participle comes before a noun, it must undergo declension like a regular adjective.
Das lachende Kind ist glücklich.
The laughing child is happy.
Der schlafende Mann schnarcht laut.
The sleeping man snores loudly.
Ich sehe die tanzenden Paare.
I see the dancing couples.
Past Participle
The formation of the past participle depends on the verb. The past participle as an adjective describes a passive action or a completed state. Remember, when the past participle comes before a noun, it must undergo declension like a regular adjective.
Regular Verbs → ge- + stem + -t
Die gekauften Schuhe sind bequem.
The purchased shoes are comfortable.
gekauft (purchased)
Das gespielte Lied war schön.
The played song was beautiful.
gespielt (played)
Irregular Verbs → ge- + stem + -en
Die gesprochene Sprache ist Deutsch.
The spoken language is German.
gesprochen (spoken)
Die genommene Gelegenheit war wichtig.
The taken opportunity was important.
genommen (taken)
Verbs with Prefixes
In German, some verbs have prefixes that can change their meaning:
Verbs with Inseparable Prefixes
Verbs with separable prefixes
Verbs with Inseparable Prefixes
The prefix in these verbs is always attached to the verb and does not move to the end of the sentence when the verb is conjugated.
Here are some of the common inseparable prefixes:
emp- | be- | ver- | ent- |
miss- | ge- | er- | zer- |
Die besuchte Stadt war wunderschön.
The visited city was beautiful.
besucht (visited)
Das verkaufe Auto war teuer.
The sold car was expensive.
verkauft (sold)
Die zerstörte Brücke wird repariert.
The destroyed bridge is being repaired.
zerstört (destroyed)
Verbs with separable prefixes
For separable verbs, you need to add the –ge between the prefix and stem.
[Prefix + -ge- + stem]
Die aufgemache Tür steht offen.
The opened door is standing open.
aufgemacht (opened)
Die zugemache Box ist leer.
The closed box is empty.
zugemacht (closed)
Present Participle vs. Past Participle
The main difference between the past and the present participle lies in their meaning. The present participle has an active sense, while the past participle has a passive sense to it.
interessieren (to interest)
Der interessierende Professor hält einen Vortrag.
The interesting professor is giving a lecture.
Present participle Adjective
Die interessierten Studenten hören zu.
The interested students are listening.
Past participle Adjective
erschrecken (to frighten)
Der erschreckende Horrorfilm läuft im Kino.
The frightening horror movie is playing in the cinema.
Present participle Adjective
Die erschrockenen Zuschauer schreien auf.
The frightened viewers scream out.
Past participle Adjective
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