B1 German GrammarParticipial Adjectives
Learn how to use German present participles (Partizip I) and past participles (Partizip II) as adjectives. Master extended participial constructions that allow for concise, sophisticated descriptions commonly found in written German.
1Present Participle as Adjective (Partizip I)
The present participle is formed by adding -d to the infinitive (spielen → spielend). When used before a noun, it takes normal adjective endings. It describes an ongoing action: 'das spielende Kind' (the playing child). The action is happening at the same time as the main verb.
Partizip I Formation
| Infinitive | Partizip I | With Noun | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| spielen | spielend | das spielende Kind | the playing child |
| lachen | lachend | die lachende Frau | the laughing woman |
| schlafen | schlafend | der schlafende Hund | the sleeping dog |
| brennen | brennend | das brennende Haus | the burning house |
Examples
Der weinende Junge suchte seine Mutter.
The crying boy was looking for his mother.
weinend + adj ending -e
Ich sah einen fliegenden Vogel.
I saw a flying bird.
fliegend + adj ending -en
Die singenden Vögel weckten mich.
The singing birds woke me up.
singend + adj ending -en (plural)
Er begrüßte uns mit strahlendem Lächeln.
He greeted us with a beaming smile.
strahlend + adj ending -em
2Past Participle as Adjective (Partizip II)
The past participle (ge- + stem + -t/-en) can also function as an adjective before nouns. It describes a completed action or state: 'das geöffnete Fenster' (the opened window). With transitive verbs, it has passive meaning; with intransitive verbs, it has active/completed meaning.
Partizip II as Adjective
| Verb | Partizip II | With Noun | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| öffnen | geöffnet | das geöffnete Fenster | the opened window |
| kochen | gekocht | das gekochte Ei | the boiled egg |
| brechen | gebrochen | der gebrochene Arm | the broken arm |
| schreiben | geschrieben | der geschriebene Brief | the written letter |
Examples
Die verlorene Zeit kommt nicht zurück.
Lost time doesn't come back.
verloren (passive meaning)
Ich esse gern gebratenes Hähnchen.
I like to eat fried chicken.
gebraten + adj ending -es
Der angekommene Zug war verspätet.
The train that arrived was delayed.
angekommen (active meaning)
Sie trug ein selbstgemachtes Kleid.
She wore a self-made dress.
selbstgemacht compound
3Extended Participial Constructions
German allows long phrases before the noun using participles. All modifiers go between the article and the participle+noun. English uses relative clauses instead: 'der in Berlin wohnende Mann' = 'the man living in Berlin' or 'the man who lives in Berlin.' This is common in formal/written German.
Extended Constructions
| German | Structure | English Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| der in Berlin wohnende Mann | art + PP + participle + noun | the man living in Berlin |
| das gestern gekaufte Buch | art + adv + participle + noun | the book bought yesterday |
| die von mir gelesene Zeitung | art + agent + participle + noun | the newspaper read by me |
Examples
Der seit Jahren in Deutschland lebende Künstler ist berühmt.
The artist who has been living in Germany for years is famous.
Extended Partizip I construction
Die im letzten Jahr gebaute Brücke ist sehr modern.
The bridge built last year is very modern.
Extended Partizip II construction
Das von meiner Großmutter gekochte Essen schmeckt am besten.
The food cooked by my grandmother tastes the best.
Agent (von) + Partizip II
Der am Telefon sprechende Mann ist mein Chef.
The man speaking on the phone is my boss.
Prepositional phrase + Partizip I
4Partizip I vs. Partizip II
Choose Partizip I for ongoing/simultaneous actions (the sleeping child = sleeping now). Choose Partizip II for completed actions or passive states (the written letter = was written). Many participles have become true adjectives: interessant (interesting), bekannt (known), begeistert (excited).
Partizip I vs. Partizip II
| Partizip I (ongoing) | Partizip II (completed) | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| das kochende Wasser | das gekochte Wasser | boiling vs. boiled |
| die schlafende Katze | die eingeschlafene Katze | sleeping vs. fell asleep |
| der lesende Student | das gelesene Buch | reading vs. read |
Examples
Das schreiende Baby braucht Aufmerksamkeit.
The screaming baby needs attention.
Partizip I: currently screaming
Die überraschte Frau sagte kein Wort.
The surprised woman said nothing.
Partizip II: was surprised
Der wartende Gast wurde ungeduldig.
The waiting guest became impatient.
Partizip I: currently waiting
Das zerbrochene Glas lag auf dem Boden.
The broken glass lay on the floor.
Partizip II: was broken