xajadove gevakaqa higuju dine fugoqi sovamob rojidof

Präteritum

In German, there are two main ways to express the past tense: Präteritum (simple past) and Perfekt (present perfect).

Präteritum (Simple Past)

The Präteritum is used primarily in formal written German and in storytelling. It is formed by adding a specific ending to the verb stem, which varies based on the subject.

Examples:

• Ich ging (I went)
• Du kamst (You came)
• Er/Sie/Es machte (He/She/It made)

Perfekt (Present Perfect)

The Perfekt is more commonly used in spoken German and informal writing. It is formed by combining the present tense of the auxiliary verb "haben" (to have) or "sein" (to be) with the past participle of the main verb.

Examples:

• Ich habe gegessen. (I have eaten.)
• Du bist gekommen. (You have come.)
• Er/Sie/Es hat gearbeitet. (He/She/It has worked.)

The choice between "haben" and "sein" depends on the verb. Most verbs use "haben," while verbs indicating a change of state or location use "sein."

It's important to note that the Perfekt is often used with a time expression (e.g., heute, gestern, letzte Woche) to clarify the time frame.

While the Präteritum is more formal and literary, the Perfekt is more common in everyday speech and writing. Mastering both forms is crucial for effective communication in German.