Perfekt unregelmäßiger Verben
Perfekt (unregelmäßig) — for English Speakers
Introduction
Like English irregular verbs (write → written, drink → drunk), German has 'strong' verbs that change their vowel in the past participle: schreiben → geschrieben, trinken → getrunken. Many follow recognizable patterns (ei → ie, i → u). English speakers already cope with irregular forms, so the concept is familiar — you just need to learn a new set of changes.
German vs English
In German
schreiben → geschrieben (ei → ie)
In English
write → written (similar vowel shift pattern)
Key Difference
Both languages have vowel changes, but the specific patterns differ. German adds ge- prefix.
In German
trinken → getrunken (i → u)
In English
drink → drunk (same i → u pattern!)
Key Difference
Some German-English verb pairs share the same vowel shift — a helpful coincidence.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Ich habe geschreibt. (treating it as regular)
Applying the regular -t ending to an irregular verb — like saying 'writed' instead of 'written'.
Wir haben nach Hause gegeht.
Double error: 'gehen' is irregular (gegangen, not gegeht) AND uses sein, not haben.
Practice Examples
Ich habe den Brief geschrieben.
I wrote the letter.
Er hat viel Wasser getrunken.
He drank a lot of water.
Wir sind nach Hause gefahren.
We drove home.
Memory Tip
Learn irregular verbs in trios: infinitive → Präteritum → Partizip (like English: drink → drank → drunk).
View Grammar Rule
Perfekt unregelmäßiger Verben
Perfekt (unregelmäßig) — A2
Practice Exercises
Perfekt unregelmäßiger Verben Übungen
8 exercises
Other Languages
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