English | French | German | English | French | German |
to answer | répondre à | antworten | to mean | vouloir dire | bedeuten |
to ask | demander | fragen | to meet | recontrer | treffen |
to be | être | sein | to need | avoir besoin de | brauchen |
to be (located) | se trouver | liegen | to open | ouvrir | öffnen |
to be able to, can | pouvoir | können | to order | commander | bestellen |
to be called | s'appeler | heißen | to pay | payer | bezahlen |
to become | devenir | werden | to play, act | jouer | spielen |
to begin | commencer | beginnen | to pull | tirer | ziehen |
to bring | amener, apporter | bringen | to push | pousser | drücken |
to buy | acheter | kaufen | to put, set | mettre | setzen |
to call | appeler | rufen | to rain | pleuvoir | regnen |
to close | fermer | schließen | to read | lire | lesen |
to come | venir | kommen | to run | courir | laufen |
to cost | coûter | kosten | to say, tell | dire | sagen |
to die | mourir | sterben | to see | voir | sehen |
to drink | boire | trinken | to send | envoyer | senden |
to drive, go, travel | conduire, aller | fahren | to shine | briller | scheinen |
to eat | manger | essen | to show, indicate | montrer | zeigen |
to fall | tomber | fallen | to sing | chanter | singen |
to find | trouver | finden | to sit | être assis | sitzen |
to fly | voler | fliegen | to sleep | dormir | schlafen |
to forbid | interdire | verbieten | to speak | parler | sprechen |
to forget | oublier | vergessen | to spend (time) | passer | verbringen |
to get, receive | recevoir | bekommen, empfangen | to stand | être debout | stehen |
to give | donner | geben | to stay, remain | rester | bleiben |
to go | aller | gehen | to swim | nager | schwimmen |
to have | avoir | haben | to take | prendre | nehmen |
to have to, must | devoir | müssen | to thank | remercier | danken |
to hear | entendre | hören | to think | penser | denken |
to help | aider | helfen | to throw (away) | jeter | werfen |
to know (facts) | savoir | wissen | to travel | voyager | reisen |
to know (people) | connaître | kennen | to try (out) | essayer | probieren |
to leave | quitter | verlassen | to understand | comprendre | verstehen |
to let | laisser | lassen | to visit | visiter, rendre visite à | besuchen |
to listen to | écouter | zuhören | to wait | attendre | warten |
to live (be alive) | vivre | leben | to want | vouloir | wollen |
to live (in) | habiter | wohnen | to wash | laver | waschen |
to look for, search | chercher | suchen | to wear | porter | tragen |
to lose | perdre | verlieren | to win | gagner | gewinnen |
to love | aimer | lieben | to work | travailler | arbeiten |
to make, do | faire | machen, tun | to write | écrire | schreiben |
Many of the most commonly used verbs in both French and German are irregular.
Regular Verbs: Present and Past Tense
In French, there are three types of verbs, depending on their endings: -er, -ir and -re. All verbs in German end in -en or -n. To conjugate verbs in the present tense, remove the endings and add the following new endings. The present tense in French and German can translate as either the simple present, the present continuous, or the emphatic present, i.e. I run, I am running, I do run.
Present |
French |
German |
|||
-er |
-ir |
-re |
-en / -n |
||
je / j' | -e | -is | -s | ich | -e |
tu | -es | -is | -s | du | -st |
il/elle | -e | -it | - | er/sie/es | -t |
nous | -ons | -issons | -ons | wir | -en |
vous | -ez | -issez | -ez | ihr | -t |
ils/elles | -ent | -issent | -ent | sie/Sie | -en |
For French verbs that begin with a vowel, such as apprendre, je becomes j' so that subject and verb can be connected as one word (to faciliate pronunciation): j'apprends. It is also common for tu to become t' in informal speech, but not in formal writing: t'apprends. In informal German, the -e of the ich form is often left off as well so that there is one fewer syllable: ich hab'
For the past (imperfect) tense, all regular French verbs use the same endings. All regular German verbs use the same endings as well. This past tense translates as either the simple past, the past continuous, or used to + infinitive, i.e. I ran, I was running, I used to run. (There is another past tense in French, called the passé simple - simple past, that is rarely used in speech, but still commonly used in literature. It will appear later.)
Past |
French |
German |
|
je / j' | -ais | ich | -te |
tu | -ais | du | -test |
il/elle | -ait | er/sie/es | -te |
nous | -ions | wir | -ten |
vous | -iez | ihr | -tet |
ils/elles | -aient | sie/Sie | -ten |
Spelling Changes in the Present Tense
There are several spelling changes in conjugated verbs in the present tense, in both French and German. Usually these changes are made to correlate with the pronunciation of the verb.
French: Many verbs that end in -ir are conjugated with a different set of endings than those above, while some other -ir verbs are conjugated as if they were -er verbs. Verb stems that end in -c must use a cedilla (ç) under the c to make it soft in the nous form. Verb stems ending in -ge lose the final e before the endings in the nous and vous forms. Some verbs add an accent grave to an e (è) or change an accent aigu to an accent grave before the ending; verbs ending in -yer change the y to i; and some verbs double their consonant in all forms but nous and vous.
partir | offrir | commencer | manger | espérer | payer | appeler | |
je / j' | pars | offre | commence | mange | espère | paie | appelle |
tu | pars | offres | commences | manges | espères | paies | appelles |
il/elle | part | offre | commence | mange | espère | paie | appelle |
nous | partons | offrons | commençons | mangions | espérons | payons | appelons |
vous | partez | offrez | commencez | mangiez | espérez | payez | appelez |
ils/elles | partent | offrent | commencent | mangent | espèrent | paient | appellent |
German: For the du and er/sie/es forms only, some verbs change their stem vowel: a to ä, au to äu, e to ie, e to i. Verb stems ending in -d or -t add an extra -e before the regular endings for the du, er/sie/es and ihr forms. Verb stems ending in s, z, or ß only add -t for the du form. Verbs that end in -n instead of -en only add -n for the wir and sie/Sie forms. Verbs that end in -eln or -ern only -n for the wir and sie/Sie forms and they can drop the e before -ln or -rn in the ich form.
fahren | laufen | sehen | geben | arbeiten | tanzen | tun | sammeln | |
ich | fahre | laufe | sehe | gebe | arbeite | tanze | tue | sammle |
du | fährst | läufst | siehst | gibst | arbeitest | tanzt | tust | sammelst |
er/sie/es | fährt | läuft | sieht | gibt | arbeitet | tanzt | tut | sammelt |
wir | fahren | laufen | sehen | geben | arbeiten | tanzen | tun | sammeln |
ihr | fahrt | lauft | seht | gebt | arbeitet | tanzt | tut | sammelt |
sie/Sie | fahren | laufen | sehen | geben | arbeiten | tanzen | tun | sammeln |
Irregular Verb Stems in the Past Tense
French: Only one French verb is irregular in the past (imperfect) tense: être. Its stem becomes ét- for the past tense, but it still uses the regular past tense endings. In addition, some of the spelling changes in the present tense also occur in the past tense (for verb stems ending in -c and -g).
être - to be | commencer - to begin | manger - to eat | |
je / j' | étais | commençais | mangeais |
tu | étais | commençais | mangeais |
il/elle | était | commençait | mangeait |
nous | étions | commencions | mangions |
vous | étiez | commenciez | mangiez |
ils/elles | étaient | commençaient | mangeaient |
German: There are several irregular past stems in German. Similar to the irregular verbs in English, some of these stems cannot be predicted and must be memorized. These irregular verb stems also use slightly different endings than the regular verbs.
Irregular Endings in Past Tense
ich | - |
du | -st |
er/sie/es | - |
wir | -en |
ihr | -t |
sie/Sie | -en |
Irregular Stems in the Past Tense
Infinitive | Past Stem | Infinitive | Past Stem | ||
beginnen | begann | begin | schieben | schob | push |
bekommen | bekam | get, receive | schlafen | schlief | sleep |
bleiben | blieb | remain | schlagen | schlug | hit |
brechen | brach | break | schließen | schloss | shut |
empfehlen | empfahl | recommend | schneiden | schnitt | cut |
essen | aß | eat | schreiben | schrieb | write |
fahren | fuhr | drive, go, travel | schreien | schrie | cry |
fallen | fiel | fall | schwimmen | schwamm | swim |
fangen | fing | catch | sehen | sah | see |
finden | fand | find | sein | war | be |
fliegen | flog | fly | singen | sang | sing |
fressen | fraß | eat (of animals) | sinken | sank | sink |
frieren | fror | freeze | sitzen | saß | sit |
gebären | gebar | be born | sprechen | sprach | speak |
geben | gab | give | springen | sprang | jump |
gehen | ging | go | stehen | stand | stand |
geschehen | geschah | happen | stehlen | stahl | steal |
gewinnen | gewann | win | steigen | stieg | climb |
halten | hielt | hold | sterben | starb | die |
hängen | hing | hang, suspend | tragen | trug | wear |
heben | hob | lift | treffen | traf | meet |
heißen | hiess | be called | treiben | trieb | play sports |
helfen | half | help | treten | trat | step |
kommen | kam | come | trinken | trank | drink |
lassen | liess | let, allow | tun | tat | do |
laufen | lief | run | verbieten | verbot | forbid |
leiden | litt | suffer | vergessen | vergaß | forget |
leihen | lieh | lend | verlassen | verliess | leave |
lesen | las | read | verlieren | verlor | lose |
liegen | lag | recline | versprechen | versprach | promise |
lügen | log | lie, fib | verstehen | verstand | understand |
nehmen | nahm | take | verzeihen | verzieh | forgive |
reiten | ritt | ride (horseback) | wachsen | wuchs | grow |
riechen | roch | smell | waschen | wusch | wash |
rufen | rief | call | werfen | warf | throw |
scheinen | schien | shine | ziehen | zog | pull |
Haben, werden, wissen, and a group of verbs called the "mixed verbs" all have irregular stems in the past tense, but they still use the regular endings!
haben | werden | wissen | bringen | denken | kennen | brennen | nennen | rennen | wenden | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ich | hatte | wurde | wußte | brachte | dachte | kannte | brannte | nannte | rannte | wandte |
du | hattest | wurdest | wußtest | brachtest | dachtest | kanntest | branntest | nanntest | ranntest | wandtest |
er/sie/es | hatte | wurde | wußte | brachte | dachte | kannte | brannte | nannte | rannte | wandte |
wir | hatten | wurden | wußten | brachten | dachten | kannten | brannten | nannten | rannten | wandten |
ihr | hattet | wurdet | wußtet | brachtet | dachtet | kanntet | branntet | nanntet | ranntet | wandtet |
sie/Sie | hatten | wurden | wußten | brachten | dachten | kannten | brannten | nannten | rannten | wandten |
Some of the modal verbs in German follow the rules for regular stem + regular ending, while others use an irregular stem + regular ending.
können | müssen | dürfen | sollen | wollen | mögen | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
ich | konnte | mußte | durfte | sollte | wollte | mochte |
du | konntest | mußtest | durftest | solltest | wolltest | mochtest |
er, sie, es | konnte | mußte | durfte | sollte | wollte | mochte |
wir | konnten | mußten | durften | sollten | wollten | mochten |
ihr | konntet | mußtet | durftet | solltet | wolltet | mochtet |
sie | konnten | mußten | durften | sollten | wollten | mochten |
Pronominal verbs are also called reflexive verbs, and they require an extra pronoun in the conjugations. These verbs reflect actions that are done to the subject (the subject and object refer to the same person), so many of them involve the body. Other verbs are considered pronominal simply for grammatical reasons. Reflexive verbs are rare in English, so many times the reflexive pronoun in French or German is not translated into English. For verbs that show reciprocal actions, English tends to use each other.
English | French | German |
myself | me | mich / mir |
yourself | te | dich / dir |
himself/herself/itself | se | sich |
ourselves | nous | uns |
yourselves | vous | euch |
themselves | se | sich |
The main difference between the languages is that French places the reflexive pronoun BEFORE the conjugated verb, while German places it AFTER.
Il se lave. / Er wäscht sich. He washes (himself).
Je me réjouis de te voir. / Ich freue mich, dich su zehen.
I'm happy to see you.
Another difference is the use of dative reflexive pronouns in German (mir and dir instead of mich and dich). If a sentence already has an object in the accusative case (a direct object), then the reflexive pronoun in German must be in the dative case (an indirect object).
Je me lave les cheveux. / Ich wasche mir die Haare. I'm washing my hair.
Reflexive Verbs in French & German
(Not all verbs that are reflexive in French are reflexive in German and
vice versa!)
English | French | German | English | French | German |
to ask about, get info | se renseigner | sich erkundigen nach | to get undressed | se déshabiller | sich ausziehen |
to be afraid of | avoir peur de | sich fürchten vor | to get up | se lever | aufstehen |
to be bored | s'ennuyer | sich langweilen | to get upset, annoyed | s'énerver | sich aufregen |
to be called | s'appeler | heißen | to get used to | s'habituer à | sich gewöhnen an |
to be interested in | s'intéresser à | sich interessieren für | to have a good time | s'amuser | sich vergnügen |
to be pleased | se réjouir | sich freuen | to hurry | se dépêcher | sich beeilen |
to break (body part) | se casser | sich brechen | to imagine | s'imaginer | sich vorstellen |
to catch a cold | prendre froid | sich erkälten | to lie down | s'allonger | sich hinlegen |
to complain about | se plaindre | sich beklagen über | to relax | se détendre | sich erholen |
to fall asleep | s'endormir | einschlafen | to remember | se souvenir de | sich erinnern an |
to fall in love with | tomber amoureux de | sich verlieben in | to rest | se reposer | sich ausruhen |
to feel (well) | se sentir (bien) | sich (wohl) fühlen | to shave | se raser | sich rasieren |
to get along | s'entendre avec | sich verstehen mit | to sit down | s'asseoir | sich setzen |
to get angry | se fâcher | sich ärgern | to take care of | s'occuper de | sich kümmern um |
to get dressed | s'habiller | sich anziehen | to train/practice | s'entraîner | trainieren |
to get hurt | se faire mal | sich verletzen | to wake up | se réveiller | aufwachen |
to get married | se marier | heiraten | to wash up | se laver | sich waschen |
To express an unspecific agent (such as one, you, they, or people in general in English), use on in French and man in German as the subject pronoun. These subjects can also be used as a way to avoid the passive mood, though it is much more common in French than in German.
On parle espagnol. / Man spricht Spanisch. We speak Spanish. / Spanish is spoken.
Plaire / Gefallen & Manquer / Fehlen
Plaire and gefallen mean to like (literally: to be pleasing to) and manquer and fehlen mean to miss (literally: to be missing to), but the word order is the opposite of English. The English subject becomes the indirect object in French and German, while the English object becomes the subject. Remember that French pronouns are placed BEFORE the conjugated verb, while they are placed AFTER in German.
Ça me plaît. / Das gefällt mir. I
like it. (literally: It is pleasing to me.)
Ses devoirs ne lui plaisent pas ? / Die Hausaufgaben gefallen
ihm nicht? He doesn't like his homework? (literally: His homework
doesn't please him?)
Tu me manques. / Du fehlst mir. I miss you. (literally:
You are missing to me.)
Ils me manquent. / Sie fehlen mir. I miss them. (literally:
They are missing to me.)
Separable & Inseparable Prefixes in German
A lot of German verbs include prefixes, which may or may not separate from the base infinitive when conjugated. Inseparable prefixes are quite easy to deal with because they always remain attached to the root of the verb. They are essentially unstressed syllables. It is only in the perfect tenses that you need to be aware of inseparable prefixes.
Separable prefixes, on the other hand, have different rules for verb tenses and subordinating clauses, which will be expanded on below. The main idea is that the separable prefix is removed from the root verb and placed at the very end of the clause or sentence in the present tense in simple sentences. This is somewhat similar to phrasal verbs in English that include a preposition or adverb, such as take out, look over, put down, etc. Most separable prefixes in German are also prepositions, so they should look familiar. (Separable prefix verbs in German don't always translate as phrasal verbs in English though.)
Separable Prefixes | Inseparable Prefixes | ||
ab- | mit- | be- | |
an- | nach- | emp- | |
auf- | vor- | ent- | |
aus- | vorbei- | er- | |
bei- | weg- | ge- | |
ein- | zu- | miss- | |
fern- | zurück- | ver- | |
los- | zusammen- | zer- |
German Verbs with Separable Prefixes
abholen | to pick up | ausmachen | to turn off |
abräumen | to clear (the table) | aussehen | to look like, appear |
abtrocknen | to dry (dishes) | austragen | to deliver |
abwischen | to wipe clean | auswandern | to emigrate |
anfangen | to begin | ausziehen | to take off clothes |
ankommen | to arrive | einkaufen | to shop |
anmachen | to turn on | einladen | to invite |
anrufen | to call up | einpacken | to pack up |
anschauen | to look at | einschlafen | to fall asleep |
ansehen | to look at, watch | einsteigen | to board |
anziehen | to put on clothes | fernsehen | to watch TV |
anzünden | to light (candles) | mitkommen | to come with |
aufhören | to stop | mitnehmen | to take with |
aufmachen | to open | vorbeikommen | to come by |
aufräumen | to tidy up (clothes) | vorschlagen | to suggest |
aufstehen | to get up | vorstellen | to introduce |
aufwachen | to wake up | weggehen | to go away |
aufwischen | to mop up | wegstellen | to put away |
ausfüllen | to fill in (the blanks) | zuhören | to listen to |
ausgeben | to spend | zumachen | to close |
ausgehen | to go out | zurückkommen | to come back |
ausleeren | to empty | zusehen | to observe |
Sie macht das Fenster auf.
She opens the window.
Er zieht sich an. He gets dressed.
Unter and über can function as separable prefixes, but they are much more commonly used as inseparable prefixes. When prefixes are stressed, they are separable; when they are not stressed, they are inseparable. The stress on the following verbs in not on the prefix, so they are all inseparable: unterhalten - to entertain, unternehmen - to undertake, überholen - to overtake, and übersetzen - to translate.
Forming commands is quite easy if you remember the present tense conjugations of verbs. Only a few of the forms change for the command (in blue). Negative commands follow the regular word order rules of placing ne...pas around the verb in French (or just pas after in informal French) and nicht after the verb in German.
French | German | English | |
tu / du | Reste | Bleib! | Stay! (informal / singular) |
nous / wir | Restons | Bleiben wir! | Let's stay! |
vous / ihr | Restez | Bleibt! | Stay! (plural) |
vous / Sie | Restez | Bleiben Sie! | Stay! (formal) |
The informal/singular you loses its ending for the command in both languages (no -s and no -st), however, the -s reappears in French with object pronouns (va becomes vas-y). German verbs that require an umlaut in the informal you form do not use it in the command (laüfst becames lauf!), but verbs that change e to i or ie do use this form in the command (gibst becomes gib!). The we/let's and formal you add wir and Sie, respectively, after the verb in German. Notice that all German commands are written with exclamation points, and French requires a hypen between the command and object.
Prend-le ! / Nimm es! Take it!
Dis-moi ! / Sag mir! Tell me!
Ne parlez pas ! / Sprecht nicht! Don't speak!
Irregular Commands
French |
German | |||
être - to be | avoir - to have | savoir - to know (facts) | sein - to be | |
tu / du | Sois | Aie | Sache | Sei! |
nous / wir | Soyons | Ayons | Sachons | Seien wir! |
vous / ihr | Soyez | Ayez | Sachez | Seiet! |
vous / Sie | Soyez | Ayez | Sachez | Seien Sie! |
Pronominal verbs as commands have the same verb + pronoun word order if they are affirmative; but in the negative, French moves the pronoun before the verb, while German keeps it after.
Asseyons-nous ! / Setzen wir uns! Let's sit down!
Ne vous fâchez pas ! / Ärgern Sie sich nicht!
Don't get angry!
A subordinating conjunction that begins a dependent clause depends on the rest of the sentence to make sense. For example, "because I was sick" does not make sense on its own and it requires another clause (the independent clause): I went home because I was sick. Notice that "I went home" can exist on its own, which is why it is called independent. In French and German, just as in English, either the independent or dependent clause can begin the sentence; however, the word order must change in German.
For sentences of type 1) independent clause, + subordinating conjunction
+ dependent clause: The conjugated verb in the dependent clause goes to
the very end - even after the infinitive.
For sentences of type 2) subordinating conjunction + dependent clause,
+ independent clause: The conjugated verb is first in the independent
clause, followed by the subject.
1. Sie geht in die Stadt, weil sie ein Geschenk kaufen will.
She's going into the city because she wants to buy a present.
2. Weil sie ein Geschenk kaufen will, geht sie in die Stadt. Because
she wants to buy a present, she's going into the city.
Verbs with separable prefixes reattach the prefix when they are in dependent clauses:
Er kommt früh nach Hause zurück. He'll come
back home early. [independent clause]
Ich denke, dass er früh nach Hause zurückkommt. I think
that he'll come back home early. [dependent clause]
Verbs: Present Perfect / Past Perfect Tenses
The perfect tenses are compound tenses, meaning there are two parts to the verb: auxiliary verb + past participle. Most verbs use avoir or haben, but some use être or sein as the auxiliary verb. This tense translates literally as has/have + past participle for the present perfect and had + past participle for the past perfect, though it can also be translated with the simple past tense. The perfect tenses are common in conversation in French and German, while the simple past is slightly more common in writing. For the present perfect tense, you will need to use the present tense forms of the auxiliary verbs; and for the past perfect tense, you will need to use the simple past forms of the auxiliary verbs.
Forming Past Participles
French |
infinitive - past part. |
German
|
infinitive - past part. |
||
-er verbs | stem + é | aimer - aimé | regular verbs | ge + stem + t | machen - gemacht |
-ir verbs | stem + i | choisir - choisi | ending in -ieren | stem + t | studieren - studiert |
-re verbs | stem + u | vendre - vendu | separable prefixes | stem + t | besuchen - besucht |
inseparable prefixes | prefix + ge + stem + t | abholen - abgeholt |
Remember for German stems ending in -d or -t, you need to add -et as the ending for ease of pronunciation: arbeiten - gearbeitet. There are many more irregular past participles in German than in French, and you usually just have to memorize them. They could involve a stem vowel change and/or ending -en instead of -t.
Irregular Past Participles that take Avoir in French
to be | être | été | to permit | permettre | permis |
to be able to | pouvoir | pu | to promise | promettre | promis |
to believe | croire | cru | to put | mettre | mis |
to do, make | faire | fait | to read | lire | lu |
to have | avoir | eu | to receive | recevoir | reçu |
to have to | devoir | dû | to see | voir | vu |
to know | connaître | connu | to surprise | surprendre | surpris |
to know | savoir | su | to take | prendre | pris |
to laugh | rire | ri | to tell | dire | dit |
to learn | apprendre | appris | to understand | comprendre | compris |
to offer | offrir | offert | to want | vouloir | voulu |
to open | ouvrir | ouvert | to write | écrire | écrit |
Irregular Past Participles that take Haben in German
ask | bitten | gebeten | give | geben | gegeben | see | sehen | gesehen |
be called | heißen | geheißen | hang, suspend | hängen | gehangen | shine | scheinen | geschienen |
be silent | schweigen | geschwiegen | help | helfen | geholfen | shut | schließen | geschlossen |
begin | beginnen | begonnen | hold | halten | gehalten | sing | singen | gesungen |
begin | anfangen | angefangen | invite | einladen | eingeladen | sit | sitzen | gesessen |
bite | beissen | gebissen | know (facts) | wissen | gewußt | sleep | schlafen | geschlafen |
break | brechen | gebrochen | know (people) | kennen | gekannt | smell | riechen | gerochen |
bring | bringen | gebracht | leave | verlassen | verlassen | sound | klingen | geklungen |
burn | brennen | gebrannt | lend | leihen | geliehen | speak | sprechen | gesprochen |
call | rufen | gerufen | let, allow | lassen | gelassen | stand | stehen | gestanden |
call, name | nennen | genannt | lie, fib | lügen | gelogen | steal | stehlen | gestohlen |
cry | schreien | geschrieen | lift | heben | gehoben | suffer | leiden | gelitten |
cut | schneiden | geschnitten | lose | verlieren | verloren | swing | schwingen | geschwungen |
do | tun | getan | meet | treffen | getroffen | take | nehmen | genommen |
drink | trinken | getrunken | order, command | befehlen | befohlen | tear | reissen | gerissen |
eat | essen | gegessen | pour, water | gießen | gegossen | think | denken | gedacht |
eat (of animals) | fressen | gefressen | promise | versprechen | versprochen | throw | werfen | geworfen |
find | finden | gefunden | pull | ziehen | gezogen | tie | binden | gebunden |
forbid | verbieten | verboten | push | schieben | geschoben | turn | wenden | gewandt |
forget | vergessen | vergessen | reach | greifen | gegriffen | understand | verstehen | verstanden |
forgive | verzeihen | verziehen | read | lesen | gelesen | wash | waschen | gewaschen |
freeze | frieren | gefroren | recline | liegen | gelegen | wear | tragen | getragen |
get up | aufstehen | aufgestanden | recommend | empfehlen | empfohlen | win | gewinnen | gewonnen |
get, receive | bekommen | bekommen | run | rennen | gerannt | write | schreiben | geschrieben |
Word Order: French follows the same word order as English, the past participle directly follows the auxiliary verb; but German places the past participle at the end of the clause or sentence. In the negative, French places ne...pas around the auxiliary verb (or just pas after in informal French) and German generally places nicht after the auxiliary.
Auxiliary Verb: Verbs that indicate motion or a change of condition AND do not take a direct object use être / sein as an auxiliary verb. If the verb takes a direct object, then it must use avoir / haben as an auxiliary verb, so it is possible that one verb can use either auxiliary. In French, verbs that use être must make the past participle agree with the subject in gender and number, i.e. add an -e for feminine, -s for masculine plural, and -es for feminine plural.
Etre Verbs and their Past Participles in French
Irregulars are highlighted.
to arrive | arriver | arrivé(e)(s) |
to be born | naître | né(e)(s) |
to become | devenir | devenu(e)(s) |
to come | venir | venu(e)(s) |
to come back | revenir | revenu(e)(s) |
to die | mourir | mort(e)(s) |
to enter | entrer | entré(e)(s) |
to fall | tomber | tombé(e)(s) |
to go | aller | allé(e)(s) |
to go by, pass | passer | passé(e)(s) |
to go down | descendre | descendu(e)(s) |
to go out | sortir | sorti(e)(s) |
to go up | monter | monté(e)(s) |
to leave | partir | parti(e)(s) |
to return home | rentrer | rentré(e)(s) |
to stay | rester | resté(e)(s) |
Sein Verbs and their Past Participles in German
Irregulars are highlighted.
be | sein | gewesen | hike | wandern | gewandert |
be born | gebären | geboren | jog | joggen | gejoggt |
become | werden | geworden | jump | springen | gesprungen |
come | kommen | gekommen | remain | bleiben | geblieben |
die | sterben | gestorben | ride (horseback) | reiten | geritten |
drive, go, travel | fahren | gefahren | run | rennen | gerannt |
fall | fallen | gefallen | run | laufen | gelaufen |
fly | fliegen | geflogen | sink | sinken | gesunken |
follow | folgen | gefolgt | step | treten | getreten |
go | gehen | gegangen | succeed | gelingen | gelungen |
grow | wachsen | gewachsen | swim | schwimmen | geschwommen |
happen | geschehen | geschehen | travel | reisen | gereist |
happen | passieren | passiert | wake up | aufwachen | aufgewacht |
Pronominal Verbs in Perfect Tenses: All pronominal verbs use être as the auxiliary verb in French, but all pronominal verbs use haben as the auxiliary verb in German.
Double Infinitives: When modal verbs are used in the perfect tenses in German, their past participles are only required when there is no other verb. If there is another verb, then that verb and the infinitive of the modal (instead of its past participle) are placed at the end of the sentence, called the double infinitive.
Verbs that involve the senses (and a few others) can be followed directly by another infinitive in French and German, whereas in English, the gerund (-ing form) is used. French verbs include: entendre - to hear, voir - to see, etc. German verbs include: lassen - to let, helfen - to help, hören - to hear, sehen - to see, fühlen - to feel, and spüren - to feel/sense.
J'entends les oiseaux chanter. / Ich höre die Vögel singen. I hear birds singing.
In addition, these German verbs act as modals in the perfect tenses and form double infinitives instead of using their past participles when there is another verb involved.
J'ai entendu les oiseaux chanter. / Ich habe die Vögel singen hören. I heard the birds singing.
English | French | German | English | French | German |
alarm clock | le réveil | der Wecker | hearth | la cheminée | der Kamin |
apartment | l'appartement (m) | die Wohnung | hook | le crochet | der Haken |
armchair | le fauteuil | der Sessel | hot plates | la table de cuisson | die Herdplatte |
attic | le grenier | der Dachboden | house | la maison | das Haus |
balcony | le balcon | der Balkon | iron | le fer á repasser | das Bügeleisen |
basement | le sous-sol | der Keller | ironing board | la table à repasser | das Bügelbrett |
basket | la corbeille | der Abfalleimer | key | la clef | der Schlüssel |
bathroom | le bain | das Badezimmer | kitchen | la cuisine | die Küche |
bathtub | la baignoire | die Badewanne | ladder | l'échelle (f) | die Leiter |
bed | le lit | das Bett | lamp | la lampe | die Lampe |
bedroom | la chambre | das Schlafzimmer | laundry basket | le panier à linge | der Wäschekorb |
blanket | la couverture | die Bettdecke | lawn | la pelouse | der Rasen |
blinds | le store | die Rollgardine | light bulb | l'ampoule | die Glühbirne |
bookcase | la bibliothèque | das Bücherregal | living room | le living / le salon | das Wohnzimmer |
box | la boîte | die Kiste | lock | la serrure | das Schloss |
broom | le balai | der Besen | mailbox | la boîte á lettres | der Briefkasten |
bucket | le seau | der Eimer | matches | des allumettes | die Streichhölzer |
camcorder | la caméra | der Camcorder | mattress | le matelas | die Matraze |
camera | l'appareil-photo (m) | der Fotoapparat | medicine cabinet | l'armoire de toilette (f) | der Badezimmerschrank |
candle | la bougie | die Kerze | microwave oven | le four á micro-ondes | der Mikrowellenherd |
carpet | le tapis | der Teppich | mirror | le miroir | der Spiegel |
cassette | la cassette | die Kassette | nightstand | la table de nuit | der Nachttisch |
CD player | la lecteur de CD | der CD-Player | oven | le four | der Ofen |
ceiling | le plafond | die Decke | pantry | le garde-manger | die Speisekammer |
chair | la chaise | der Stuhl | picture | le tableau / le cadre | das Bild / der Bilderrahmen |
chandelier | le lustre | der Kronleuchter | pillow | l'oreiller (m) | das Kissen |
chimney | la cheminée | das Schornstein | pipe (water) | le tuyau | die Röhre |
clock | la pendule | die Uhr | poker (fire) | le tisonnier | das Schüreisen |
closet | le placard | die Garderobe | radiator | le radiateur | der Heizkörper |
closet (clothes) | l'armoire (f) | der Kleiderschrank | radio | le radio | das Radio |
clothes dryer | le sèche-linge | der Wäschetrockner | record | le disque | die Schallplatte |
coffee maker | la cafetière | die Kaffeemaschine | refrigerator | le réfrigerateur | der Kühlschrank |
coffee table | la table basse | der Couchtisch | roof | le toit | das Dach |
computer | l'ordinateur (m) | der Computer | room | la pièce | das Zimmer |
cooker | la cuisinière | der Herd | rug | le tapis | der Teppich |
cooler | la glacière | die Kühlbox | scale (bathroom) | le pèse-personne | die Personenwaage |
corner | le coin | die Ecke | sheet | le drap | das Bettuch |
credenza | le buffet | die Anrichte | shelf | l'étagère | das Regal |
cupboard | le placard / l'armoire (f) | der Schrank | shovel | la pelle | die Schaufel |
curtain | le rideau | der Vorhang | shower | la douche | die Dusche |
cushion | le coussin | das Kissen | sink | l'évier | die Spüle |
desk | le bureau | der Schreibtisch | sink (bathroom) | le lavabo | das Waschbecken |
dining room | la salle á manger | das Eßzimmer | sofa | le canapé | das Sofa |
dish soap | le liquide vaisselle | das Spülmittel | sponge | l'éponge (f) | der Schwamm |
dishwasher | le lave-vaisselle | die Spülmaschine | stairs | l'escalier (m) | die Treppe |
door | la porte | die Tür | steps | les marches | die Stufen |
doorbell | la sonnette | die Klingel | stereo | la chaîne hi-fi | die Stereoanlage |
drawer | le tiroir | der Schublade | story (floor) | l'étage (m) | das Stockwerk |
dresser | la commode | die Kommode | stove | le poêle | der Herd |
driveway | l'allée | die Auffahrt | study | le cabinet de travail | das Arbeitszimmer |
drying rack | le séchoir à linge | der Wäscheständer | switch | le commutateur | der Schalter |
dustpan | la pelle | die Kehrschaufel | table | la table | der Tisch |
DVD player | le lecteur de DVD | der DVD-Player | tap (faucet) | le robinet | der Hahn |
fence | le portail / clôture | der Zaun | telephone | le téléphone | das Telefon |
film | la pellicule | der Film | television | la télévision | der Fernseher |
flashlight | la lampe de poche | die Taschenlampe | toaster | le grille-pain | der Toaster |
floor | la plancher | der Boden | toilet (WC) | le cabinet | die Toilette |
flower | la fleur | die Blume | towel | la serviette | das Handtuch |
food processor | le robot ménager | die Küchenmaschine | toy box | le coffre à jouets | die Spielzeugkiste |
freezer | la congélateur | die Gefriertruhe | vacuum cleaner | l'aspirateur (m) | der Staubsauger |
front walk | la promenade | der Gehweg | vase | le vase | die Vase |
fryer | la friteuse | die Fritteuse | VCR | la magnétoscope | der Videokassettenrekorder |
furniture | les meubles (m) | die Möbel (pl.) | wall (house) | le mur | die Mauer |
garage | le garage | die Garage | wall (room) | la paroi | die Wand |
garbage can | la poubelle | der Abfalleimer | washing machine | le lave-linge | die Waschmaschine |
garden | le jardin | der Garten | window | la fenêtre | das Fenster |
ground floor | le rez-de-chaussée | das Erdgeschoss | yard | le jardin | der Hof |
English | French | German | English | French | German |
airport | l'aéroport | der Flughafen | port | le port | der Hafen |
bakery | la boulangerie | die Bäckerei | prison | la prison | das Gefängnis |
bank | le banc | die Bank | restaurant | le restaurant | das Restaurant |
bar | le bar | die Bar | road (highway) | le chemin / la route | dis Landstrasse |
barn | le grange | die Scheune | school | l'école | die Schule |
barracks | la caserne | dis Kaserne | sidewalk | le trottoir | der Bürgersteig |
bench | le banc | die Bank | square | la place | der Platz |
bridge | le pont | die Brücke | stable | l'étable | der Stall |
bookstore | le librairie | die Buchhandlung | stadium | le stade | das Stadion |
building | le bâtiment | das Gebäude | stop sign | le signe d'arrête | das Haltezeichen |
butcher's | la boucherie | die Metzgerei | store | le magasin | der Laden |
castle | le château | das Schloss | street | la rue | die Strasse |
cathedral | la cathédrale | die Kathedrale | suburb | la banlieue | die Vorstadt |
cemetery | le cimetière | der Friedhof | theater | le théâtre | das Theater |
church | l'église | die Kirche | tower | la tour | der Turm |
cinema | le cinéma | das Kino | town | la ville | die Stadt |
consulate | le consulat | das Konsulat | town hall | la mairie | die Rathaus |
corner | le coin | die Ecke | traffic light | le feu de circulation | die Ampel |
courtyard | la cour | der Hof | university | l'université | die Universität |
crosswalk | le passage pour piétons | der Ubergang | village | le village | das Dorf |
dock | le bassin | das Dock | alloy | l'alliage (m) | die Legierung |
dry cleaner's | le pressing | die Reinigung | brass | le laiton | das Messing |
embassy | l'ambassade (f) | die Botschaft | brick | la brique | der Backstein |
factory | l'usine (f) | die Fabrik | cement | le ciment | der Zement |
farm | la ferme | der Bauernhof | chalk | la craie | die Kreide |
fire hydrant | la bouche à incendie | der Hydrant | clay | l'argile (f) | der Lehm / Ton |
fountain | la fontaine | der Brunnen | coal | le charbon | die Kohle |
garage | le garage | die Garage | concrete | le béton | der Beton |
grocery store | l'épicerie | das Lebensmittelgeschäft | copper | le cuivre | das Kupfer |
hospital | l'hôpital (m) | das Krankenhaus | cork | le liège | der Kork |
hotel | l'hotel | das Hotel | glass | le verre | das Glas |
house | la maison | das Haus | gold | l'or (m) | das Gold |
hut | la hutte | die Hütte | iron | le fer | das Eisen |
inn | l'auberge (f) | das Wirtshaus | lead | le plomb | das Blei |
lane (town) | la ruelle | die Gasse | leather | le cuir | das Leder |
library | la bibliothèque | die Bibliothek | lime | la chaux | der Kalk |
market | le marché | der Markt | marble | le marbre | der Marmor |
ministry | le ministère | das Ministerium | mercury | le mercure | das Quecksilber |
monument | le monument | das Denkmal | metal | le métal | das Metall |
museum | le musée | das Museum | rubber | le caoutchouc | der Gummi |
palace | le palais | der Palast | silver | l'argent (m) | das Silber |
path | le sentier | der Pfad | steel | l'acier (m) | der Stahl |
pavement | le trottoir | der Bürgersteig | stone | la pierre | der Stein |
pharmacy | la pharmacie | die Apotheke | tar | le goudron | der Teer |
pier | la jetée | der Pier | tin | l'étain (m) | das Zinn |
police station | le commisariat | das Polizeirevier | wood | le bois | das Holz |
Y and en are pronouns in French that mostly replace prepositional phrases. Da- and wo- in German replace the noun in a prepositional phrase. In both languages, they can only refer to things and ideas and not people.
French: Y replaces a prepositional phrase, except those beginning with the preposition de. En replaces prepositional phrases beginning with de, as well as the noun that follows a number. Y is usually translated as it, them or there, and en is usually translated as some, of them, or it. Y and en are placed before the verb in French in regular sentences, or between a conjugated verb and infinitive, or after the verb and connected to it with a hyphen in the imperative.
A quoi penses-tu ? What are you thinking about?
Je pense aux vacances. I'm thinking about vacation.
J'y pense. I'm thinking about it.
German: Da- replaces the noun in a prepositional phrase in a statement, while wo- replaces the nouns in a prepositional phrase in a question. An -r- is added before prepositions that begin with a vowel. Da- is usually translated as it or them, and wo- is usually translated as what. The prepositions are always connected to da- or wo- and written as one word with no hyphen.
Woran denkst du? What are you thinking about?
Ich denke an die Ferien. I'm thinking about vacation.
Ich denke daran. I'm thinking about it.
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