Das Perfekt We’re finally going to learn to talk about past events in German! You’re about to learn what’s called the ‘present perfect’ tense in English, or Das Perfekt in German. (Don’t be confused by the word ‘present’ -- this is a past tense that talks about past events -- it’s the English terminology that’s confusing.) Although there are two different past tenses in German (as in English), the Perfekt that you are learning is used most often in conversational (spoken) German.

How is Perfekt formed? sein / haben + past participle Ich habe ein Auto gekauft.

How is the Past Participle formed? Past Participles are formed differently depending on whether a verb is regular or irregular. For both groups, however, the ge- prefix most commonly characterizes the Past Participle.

Past Participle: irregular verbs ge + stem + en (or, rarely, in –n) Exception: The prefix ge- is left out, when the verb already begins with an inseparable prefix The past participle of strong verbs often changes the vowel in the stem, and occasionally some of the consonants! There is no way to predict the past participle of strong verbs in German. You have to memorize them. (List page 14)

Past Participle: regular verbs ge + stem + t Exceptions: The prefix ge- is left out, when: the verb already begins with a prefix the verb ends with –ieren. (studieren: studiert) if stem of verb ends in –d/ -t: always add suffix –et

Übung: Past Participle regular verbs VERBPAST PARTICIPLEENGLISH wohnento live tanzento dance kaufento buy liebento love verkaufento sell spielento play arbeitento work kochento cook