What is Present Participle? (Partizip 1)
The Partizip 1 is also called Partizip Präsens and the English equivalent is the Present Participle. That´s the "-ing" version of the verb in English. But pay attention: German doesn´t know a continuous mode/tense. We use Präsens (Simple Present Tense) instead. Therefore, unlike in English, we only use it as an Adjective that replaces a Subordinate clause when describing that things happen simultaneously.
Examples:
- „Der telefonierende Mann trinkt einen Kaffee.“
- „Die laufende Frau hört Musik.“
- „Der vor der Tür stehende Mann ruft nach dir.“
Constructing the Partizip 1
Infinitive + "-d"
The only exceptions: sein ⇒ seiend / tun ⇒ tuend
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Uses of the Partizip 1 (Present Participle)
It can be used as an adjective instead of subordinate clauses when two actions occur simultaneously:
Version with Partizip 1:
- „Der telefonierende Mann trinkt einen Kaffee.“
Version without Partizip 1:
- „Der Mann, der telefoniert, trinkt einen Kaffee.“
More info about this here: Participle as Adjective
Recommendation: Participle as an Adjective
For more detailed explanations of how to use Partizip 1 and Partizip 2 as an Adjective and what to look for in Adjective Declension, see the lesson Participle as an Adjective.
Comparison to the Partizip 2 (Past Participle)
Present participle as an Adjective: Something is happening at the same time
- „Der herunterfallende Apfel ist grün.“
- „Der Apfel fällt.“ „Der Apfel ist grün.“
Past participle as an Adjective: Something has happened earlier on.
- „Der heruntergefallene Apfel liegt auf dem Boden.“
- „Der Apfel ist heruntergefallen.“ „Er liegt (jetzt) auf dem Boden.“
Recommendation: The Partizip 2 (Past Participle)
Besides the Partizip 1, there is also a Partizip 2. When to use the Partizip 2 and how to form it can be found in the lesson: The Partizip 2 (Past Participle).
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Related Topics:
Entire lesson in German only: Partizip 1
You can find more lessons on Verbs here:
- Was sind Verben? (What are Verbs?)
- Starke Verben (Strong Verbs)
- „sein“ und „haben“ ("sein" and "haben")
- Reflexive Verben (Reflexive Verbs)
- Trennbare & Untrennbare Verben (Separable & Inseparable Verbs)
- Modalverben (Modal Verbs)
- Partizip 2 (Past Participle)
- Das Verb „werden” (Verb "werden")
- Das Verb „lassen” (Verb "lassen")
- Imperativ (Imperative)
- Konjunktiv 1 (Subjunctive 1)
- Konjunktiv 2 (Subjunctive 2)
- Das Passiv (Passive Voice)
- Vorgangspassiv (Process Passive)
- Das Passiv in allen zeitformen (Process Passive in all tenses)
- Verben ohne Passiv (Verbs without Passive voice)
- Zustandpassiv (Status Passive)
- Das unpersönliche Passiv (Impersonal Passive)
- Verben mit Ergänzungen (Verbs with Complements)
- Verben mit Nominativ (Verbs with Nominative)
- Verben mit Akkusativ (Verbs with Accusative)
- Verben mit doppeltem Akkusativ (Verbs with double Accusative)
- Verben mit Dativ (Verbs with Dative)
- Verben mit Akkusativ & Dativ (Verbs with Accusative & Dative)
- Verben mit Genitiv (Verbs with Genitive)
- Verben mit Präpositionen (Verbs with Prepositions)
Lists on the topic of German verbs:
- Die 30 wichtigsten Verben mit Vokalwechsel (The 30 most important verbs with vowel change)
- Untrennbare Präfixe (Inseparable Prefixes)
- Wechselpräfixe (Two-case Prefixes)
- Unregelmäßige Partizip 2 Formen (Irregular Participle 2 forms)
- Nomen-Verb-Verbindungen (Noun-Verb compounds)
You can find an overview of all topics under German Grammar.
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