Zustandspassiv mit sein
Zustandspassiv — for English Speakers
Introduction
German distinguishes between process passive (werden + Partizip II: 'Die Tür wird geöffnet' — the door is being opened) and statal passive (sein + Partizip II: 'Die Tür ist geöffnet' — the door is open). English often uses the same form for both ('the door is opened'), creating ambiguity. German eliminates this ambiguity by choosing werden (action happening) vs sein (result state).
German vs English
In German
Die Tür ist geöffnet. (state — the door is open)
In English
The door is opened / The door is open.
Key Difference
English 'is opened' is ambiguous (action or state?); German 'ist geöffnet' clearly means state.
In German
Die Tür wird geöffnet. (process — someone is opening it)
In English
The door is being opened.
Key Difference
German 'wird geöffnet' = action in progress. The werden/sein distinction resolves English ambiguity.
Common Mistakes for English Speakers
Die Tür wird geöffnet. (when meaning: the door is already open)
Using process passive for a state — English 'is opened' covers both, but German requires 'ist' for the resulting state.
Das Problem ist gelöst worden. (when meaning: it's solved now)
Over-complicating with passive Perfekt — the simple Zustandspassiv describes the current state.
Practice Examples
Der Tisch ist gedeckt.
The table is set.
Das Fenster ist geschlossen.
The window is closed.
Die Aufgaben sind erledigt.
The tasks are done.
Memory Tip
WERDEN passive = action movie (something is happening). SEIN passive = photograph (the result is visible).
View Grammar Rule
Zustandspassiv mit sein
Zustandspassiv — B2
Practice Exercises
Zustandspassiv mit sein Übungen
8 exercises
Other Languages
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