Simple past tense (Präteritum) in German
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The simple past tense expresses facts and actions which have taken place in the past. Today, it isn't used that much in the German spoken language, but rather in written stories and reports. The simple past tense is formed by using only the verb, roots or derivative. Find some short examples in the table below.
German simple past tense | English meaning |
---|---|
Ich spielte | I played, I did play, I was playing |
Er ging | he went, he did go, he was going |
Wir lachten | we laughed, we did laugh, we were laughing |
The simple past differs from the present perfect in the way, that it describes past events that are interrelated within a time frame that is separate from the present.
The simple past (Präteritum) in German is used in the following situations. To describe other situations in the past, typically the present tense is used.
Usage | Example | Translation |
---|---|---|
With auxiliary verbs (sein, haben, werden) | Wir waren gestern im Zoo. | We were in the zoo yesterday. |
With modal verbs (können, dürfen, mögen,..) | Du durftest keinen Kuchen essen? | You weren't allowed to eat cake? |
In written language (e.g. in newspapers or books) | Der Bundeskanzler hielt eine Rede. | The Federal Chancellor delivered a speech. |
If you want to learn more about auxiliary and modal verbs, have a look at the special chapters about them.
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There are some marker words that indicate the use of the simple past in a sentence. When you recognise one of them, you can be sure that the simple past is the right form to use.
Marker word | Translation |
---|---|
vor zwei Jahren | two years ago |
Letztes Jahr/letzte Woche | last year/last week |
Im Jahr 1994/In 1994 | In year 1994/In 1994 |
Vor einer langen Zeit | A long time ago |
Als ich klein war | When I was little |
gestern | yesterday |
Here are some example sentences:
The 'Präteritum' is formed in the following way for regular verbs:
Subject | Verb and translation |
---|---|
ich | lebte (I lived) |
du | lebtest (you lived) |
er/sie/es | lebte (he/she/it lived) |
wir | lebten (we lived) |
ihr | lebtet (you lived) |
sie/Sie | lebten (they lived) |
There are also a lot of irregular verbs that don't follow the rule described above. See in the following chapters the irregular conjugation of:
See the example of the irregular verbs 'sehen' in the table below.
Subject | verb sehen (to see) |
---|---|
ich | sah (I saw) |
du | sahst |
er/sie/es | sah |
wir | sahen |
ihr | saht |
sie/Sie | sahen |
The German auxiliary verbs sein, haben and werden also got special conjugations. See the declension below.
Subject | sein (to be) | haben (to have) | werden (to become) |
---|---|---|---|
ich | war | hatte | wurde |
du | warst | hattest | wurdest |
er/sie/es | war | hatte | wurde |
wir | waren | hatten | wurden |
ihr | wart | hattet | wurdet |
sie/Sie | waren | hatten | wurden |
For example:
This three verbs, as well as the modal verbs you will see below, are the only verbs that are used quite commonly in the spoken German language. Most of the other verbs are used in 'Perfekt'.
The modal verbs change their word stem when conjugated in the simple past. Some of them get rid of their 'umlaut' (ä,ö,ü).
Subject | dürfen (to be allowed to) | können (to can) | mögen (to like) | müssen (to have to) | sollen (to should) | wollen (to want) |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ich | durfte | konnte | mochte | musste | sollte | wollte |
du | durftest | konntest | mochtest | musstest | solltest | wolltest |
er/sie/es | durfte | konnte | mochte | musste | sollte | wollte |
wir | durften | konnten | mochten | mussten | sollten | wollten |
ihr | durftet | konntet | mochtet | musstet | solltet | wolltet |
sie/Sie | durften | konnten | mochten | mussten | sollten | wollten |
In the special cases of this verbs, an '-e' is added between the verb stem and the ending, if the verb stem either ends on
See the example below, to get a deeper uderstanding of this type of verb:
Subject | reden (to speak) | öffnen (to open up) |
---|---|---|
ich | redete | öffnete |
du | redetest | öffnetest |
er/sie/es | redete | öffnete |
wir | redeten | öffneten |
ihr | redetet | öffnetet |
sie/Sie | redeten | öffneten |
We hope you enjoyed learning the past tense and that you know when and how to form it now. Why not go and check out the other tenses! See you soon.
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Hallo :) My name is Mihaela and I was born in Switzerland. I have a Bachleor and Master degree as German teacher and more then 5 years experience.
I love languages, because of that I speak also Croatian and English. :)
- ABOUT THE CLASS -
I offer German language lessons for A1, A2, B1, B2 level and they include everything you need: grammar, speaking, writing, pronunciation and vocabulary.
This is ideal for students who want actively participate and speak more, learn new words and exercise the grammar. Or we can learn whatever you need, because I will always adapt to your needs. :)
I will support you during your learning experience and adapt to your learning tempo.
All learning materials and exercises are included and will be provided during the lesson.
The learning material is from various books (Schritte International, Menschen, Sicher im Alltag und Beruf, Begegnungen,...).
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Mihaela is very professional, punctual and well organised. She plans the lessons well with relevant materials based on the student interests and level. She is very flexible about rescheduling classes and always available for any doubts or requests.
Mihaela S.
Thank you very much Marilena :)
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greetings Veronika
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After training as a pastry chef and studying business administration, I traveled a lot and discovered my interest in languages. To find out more about teaching languages, I decided on further training at the Goethe Institute and completed it. During the Goethe Institute "Learn to teach German" course I was able to give individual language lessons and actively support the examination preparation for the Goethe certificate.
My lessons are needs-oriented. That means that learning goals are discussed with you and based on your level of knowledge. Whether grammar, sentence structure, pronunciation, expression or the practice of communication situations: German as a foreign and second language classes are flexible and take place in a group or one-to-one lessons with individual support and are based on your wishes and requirements. The teaching of content and topics takes place according to the respective language level. Building vocabulary, grammar and means of speaking are structured and conveyed logically building on each other. Let's get to know each other in a free trial class. I am looking forward to meeting you!
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Hallo :) My name is Mihaela and I was born in Switzerland. I have a Bachleor and Master degree as German teacher and more then 5 years experience.
I love languages, because of that I speak also Croatian and English. :)
- ABOUT THE CLASS -
I offer German language lessons for A1, A2, B1, B2 level and they include everything you need: grammar, speaking, writing, pronunciation and vocabulary.
This is ideal for students who want actively participate and speak more, learn new words and exercise the grammar. Or we can learn whatever you need, because I will always adapt to your needs. :)
I will support you during your learning experience and adapt to your learning tempo.
All learning materials and exercises are included and will be provided during the lesson.
The learning material is from various books (Schritte International, Menschen, Sicher im Alltag und Beruf, Begegnungen,...).
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she is very flexible about rescheduling the classes. she gives a lot of exercises that fit my level and make sure to correct me if I miss pronouncing some words or have difficulty to read them.
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Of course is a free trial lesson (it's about 20 minutes) possible.
I'm happy to teach you :-)
See you soon! Nina
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Remember that I used to be where you are, trying to learn a new language, so I totally understand how overwhelming it can be. I also have plenty of tips to help you develop your learning process in your daily life.
As a learner of many languages, and a theatre studies graduate,
I have been exposed to various learning techniques, leading me to develop my own approach to education which doesn’t only makes me an English teacher but also a coach.
I believe that the secret of a good class lies in the complicity between the teacher and the student which is why a friendly environment, a set of good activities and a good laugh is my unique recipe for learning English.
My job is accomplished when you are able to speak English—it doesn’t matter how many mistakes you make: as long as you have the motivation, the rest will follow.
I’m here to help you!
If you are interested, send me a message and let’s start the journey!
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