21.1. German Verb Conjugation: Introduction to the German Course

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Hello, welcome to our entry-level German course! In this section, we'll delve into the fascinating world of German verb conjugation. Verb conjugation is a key part of building coherent and meaningful sentences in any language, and German is no exception. So get ready to embark on this language journey with us.

The first thing you need to know is that, just like in English, German verbs change form to indicate tense, mood, voice, number, and person. In other words, the form of the verb can change depending on when the action is taking place, who is doing the action, how many people are involved, and so on.

In German, there are three main types of verbs: regular, irregular, and mixed. Regular verbs follow a fixed pattern in their conjugation, while irregular and mixed verbs have some variations that you'll need to learn individually. However, don't worry - with practice and repetition, you'll become familiar with these variations in no time.

Let's start with regular verbs. The conjugation of regular German verbs is quite simple. You just need to know the verb root - which is the form of the verb without the -en ending, and then add the appropriate ending for the tense, mood, voice, number and person you want to express. For example, the verb "spielen" (to play) has the root "spiel". To say "I play", you would say "ich spiele". To say "we play", you would say "wir spielen".

Now, let's talk about irregular verbs. The conjugation of irregular German verbs can be a bit more challenging as these verbs don't follow a fixed pattern. However, there are some general rules that can help you. For example, many German irregular verbs change the vowel in the verb stem in the present tense when conjugated in the second and third person singular. For example, the verb "sehen" (to see) has the root "seh". To say "you see", you would say "du siehst".

Finally, we have mixed verbs. These are a combination of regular and irregular verbs. They follow the same conjugation pattern as regular verbs, but also change the vowel in the verb stem like irregular verbs. For example, the verb "denken" (to think) has the root "denk". To say "I think", you would say "ich denke". But to say "you think", you would say "du denkst".

These are the basics of German verb conjugation. However, remember that practice is the key to mastering any skill, especially when it comes to learning a new language. Therefore, we recommend that you practice German verb conjugation regularly, and try to use them in sentences and conversations as often as possible. Over time, you will become more comfortable with German verb conjugation, and you will be able to express yourself more fluently and confidently. Good luck!

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5621.2. German Verb Conjugation: Alphabet and Pronunciation