German verbs can be categorized into different types based on how they behave in sentences. Here’s a simple breakdown:
1️ Regular Verbs (Schwache Verben) – “Obedient Verbs”
✅ Follow a simple pattern for conjugation.
✅ Past tense adds “-te” (e.g., spielte, lernte).
📌 Examples:
- machen (to do) → ich mache, du machst
- lernen (to learn) → ich lerne, du lernst
- fragen (to ask) → ich frage, du fragst
2️ Irregular Verbs (Starke Verben) – “Rebel Verbs”
✅ Change vowels when conjugated (e → i, a → ä, etc.).
✅ Past tense is unpredictable (gefahren, gegessen).
📌 Examples:
- fahren (to drive) → du fährst, er fährt
- sehen (to see) → du siehst, er sieht
- sprechen (to speak) → du sprichst, er spricht
3️ Mixed Verbs (Mischverben) – “Half-Obedient, Half-Rebel”
✅ Present tense follows regular rules, but past tense is irregular.
📌 Examples:
- wissen (to know a fact) → ich weiß, du weißt
- denken (to think) → ich denke, du denkst, but past: dachte
- bringen (to bring) → ich bringe, du bringst, but past: brachte
4️ Modal Verbs (Modalverben) – “Helper Verbs”
✅ Used with another verb (Ich kann singen = I can sing).
✅ Irregular conjugation in the singular forms.
📌 Examples:
- können (can, be able to) → ich kann, du kannst
- müssen (must) → ich muss, du musst
- wollen (want) → ich will, du willst
5️ Auxiliary Verbs (Hilfsverben) – “Support Verbs”
✅ Help form past and future tenses.
📌 Examples:
- haben (to have) → Used in Perfect tense: Ich habe gelernt.
- sein (to be) → Used for movement verbs: Ich bin gefahren.
- werden (to become) → Used for future tense: Ich werde lernen.
6️ Reflexive Verbs (Reflexive Verben) – “Mirror Verbs”
✅ Used with “sich” (myself, yourself, etc.).
📌 Examples:
- sich waschen (to wash oneself) → Ich wasche mich.
- sich freuen (to be happy) → Ich freue mich.
7️ Separable Verbs (Trennbare Verben) – “Split-Up Verbs”
✅ Prefix splits off in a sentence.
📌 Examples:
- aufstehen (to get up) → Ich stehe auf.
- mitkommen (to come along) → Kommst du mit?
8️ Inseparable Verbs (Untrennbare Verben) – “Stuck-Together Verbs”
✅ Prefix never separates.
📌 Examples:
- verstehen (to understand) → Ich verstehe dich.
- besuchen (to visit) → Er besucht seine Oma.
🔥 Quick Summary (Cheat Sheet)
| Type of Verb | Key Feature | Example (Ich…) |
|---|---|---|
| Regular (Weak) | Simple endings | mache, lerne |
| Irregular (Strong) | Changes vowel | sehe, spreche |
| Mixed | Normal present, irregular past | denke → dachte |
| Modal | Used with another verb | kann, will, muss |
| Auxiliary | Helps form tenses | habe, bin, werde |
| Reflexive | Uses “sich” (oneself) | wasche mich |
| Separable | Prefix splits off | stehe auf |
| Inseparable | Prefix never splits | verstehe |
Here’s a unique and easy way to understand German verb conjugation that you won’t find on Google. I’ll break it down using a storytelling technique + a memory hack to make it fun and easy to remember.
The Tale of Captain Verb & His Shape-Shifting Crew
Imagine German verbs as a group of magical sailors on Captain Verb’s ship. These sailors (verbs) change their uniforms depending on who’s talking (the subject) and whether they are regular (following orders) or irregular (rebellious rule-breakers).
1. The Obedient Crew: Regular Verbs (Weak Verbs – “Schwache Verben”)
Regular verbs are like disciplined sailors who always follow Captain Verb’s rules. Their uniform changes predictably based on who is speaking.
- Base form: This is the “original” verb (Infinitive) before conjugation.
- Rule: Take away -en and add specific endings.
| Subject | Verb Stem + Ending (Example: “Machen” – to do) |
|---|---|
| Ich (I) | mache (I do) |
| Du (You, informal) | machst (You do) |
| Er/Sie/Es (He/She/It) | macht (He/She/It does) |
| Wir (We) | machen (We do) |
| Ihr (You all, informal) | macht (You all do) |
| Sie (They/You formal) | machen (They do) |
Quick Memory Hack for Regular Verbs:
👉 Just drop -en and add e, st, t, en, t, en! (like a secret password “EST TEN TEN”)
2. The Rebellious Crew: Irregular Verbs (Strong Verbs – “Starke Verben”)
Irregular verbs are rule-breakers. These sailors don’t follow orders and change their shape (stem vowel changes in “du” & “er/sie/es” forms).
| Subject | Verb Stem + Ending (Example: “Fahren” – to drive) |
|---|---|
| Ich (I) | fahre (I drive) |
| Du (You, informal) | fährst (You drive) 🚨 (A → Ä) |
| Er/Sie/Es (He/She/It) | fährt (He/She/It drives) 🚨 (A → Ä) |
| Wir (We) | fahren (We drive) |
| Ihr (You all, informal) | fahrt (You all drive) |
| Sie (They/You formal) | fahren (They drive) |
Quick Memory Hack for Irregular Verbs:
👉 “The DU & ER Crew mutates!” (They change vowels: A → Ä, E → I, O → Ö).
👉 But wir, ihr, sie stay normal!
3. The Lazy Crew: Mixed Verbs (Mischverben)
Some verbs half follow rules but change their past tense like irregular verbs (ex: “denken” – to think → dachte).
Final Cheat Code: “The Captain’s Golden Rule”
✅ Regular verbs → Just EST TEN TEN rule (e, st, t, en, t, en)
✅ Irregular verbs → The “DU & ER Crew” mutates vowels
✅ Mixed verbs → Follow regular conjugation but past tense changes
Here is a categorized list of A1-level German verbs, including regular, irregular, and mixed verbs:
📌 Regular Verbs (Schwache Verben – Follow Simple Rules)
- machen (to do)
- lernen (to learn)
- spielen (to play)
- kaufen (to buy)
- fragen (to ask)
- arbeiten (to work)
- wohnen (to live)
- reden (to talk)
- hören (to hear)
- tanzen (to dance)
📌 Irregular Verbs (Starke Verben – Change Their Vowel in “du” & “er/sie/es”)
- fahren (to drive) → du fährst, er fährt
- sehen (to see) → du siehst, er sieht
- essen (to eat) → du isst, er isst
- lesen (to read) → du liest, er liest
- sprechen (to speak) → du sprichst, er spricht
- laufen (to run) → du läufst, er läuft
- nehmen (to take) → du nimmst, er nimmt
- treffen (to meet) → du triffst, er trifft
- helfen (to help) → du hilfst, er hilft
- schlafen (to sleep) → du schläfst, er schläft
📌 Mixed Verbs (Mischverben) – Regular in Present, Irregular in Past)
- haben (to have)
- wissen (to know a fact)
- bringen (to bring)
- denken (to think)
- nennen (to name/call)
- rennen (to run)
- kennen (to know someone)
German verbs may seem tricky at first, but once you grasp their patterns, they become much easier. Keep practicing, and soon they’ll feel natural!