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German • Level 1 • GRAMMAR

present: e/i/ie

💡 Grammar Rule

German Stem-Changing Verbs: The e ➔ i and e ➔ ie Shift

In German, most verbs are "weak" (regular), meaning their stem stays the same throughout the conjugation. However, a special group of strong verbs undergoes a vowel change in the present tense. This change only happens in the second person singular (du) and the third person singular (er/sie/es).

1. The Pattern: e ➔ i

Many verbs change the short "e" in their stem to a short "i".

Example: geben (to give)

  • ich gebe
  • du gibst (you give)
  • er/sie/es gibt (he/she/it gives)
  • wir geben
  • ihr gebt
  • sie/Sie geben

Other common e ➔ i verbs: helfen (to help), essen (to eat), sprechen (to speak), treffen (to meet).

2. The Pattern: e ➔ ie

If the "e" sound in the stem is long, it usually changes to "ie" (a long "i" sound).

Example: lesen (to read)

  • ich lese
  • du liest (you read)
  • er/sie/es liest (he/she/it reads)
  • wir lesen
  • ihr lest
  • sie/Sie lesen

Other common e ➔ ie verbs: sehen (to see), empfehlen (to recommend), stehlen (to steal).

Important Rules to Remember

  • Only singular: The change never happens in the plural forms (wir, ihr, sie) or the "ich" form.
  • No change for "ihr": A common mistake is changing the "ihr" form. Remember: ihr gebt, NOT ihr gibt.
  • Exceptions: A few verbs like gehen (to go) or stehen (to stand) are regular and do NOT change their vowels, even though they have an "e".

Example Sentences:

Du sprichst sehr gut Deutsch. (You speak German very well.)

Er sieht einen Film. (He is watching a movie.)

I speak Spanish.
Ich spreche Spanisch.
He speaks German.
Er spricht Deutsch.
Do you eat bread?
Isst du Brot?
No, I eat fruit.
Nein, ich esse Obst.
She is reading a book.
Sie liest ein Buch.
I am reading the newspaper.
Ich lese die Zeitung.
Do you see the movie?
Siehst du den Film?
No, I don't see anything.
Nein, ich sehe nichts.
I help at home.
Ich helfe zu Hause.
Does your brother help you?
Hilft dir dein Bruder?
We are meeting today.
Wir treffen uns heute.
He is meeting Ana.
Er trifft Ana.
Are you giving me the book?
Gibst du mir das Buch?
Yes, I am giving you the book.
Ja, ich gebe dir das Buch.
What do you recommend?
Was empfiehlst du?
I recommend the pizza.
Ich empfehle die Pizza.
You all eat a lot.
Ihr esst viel.
He eats very little.
Er isst sehr wenig.
I see the cat.
Ich sehe die Katze.
Do you see the dog?
Siehst du den Hund?
She speaks very well.
Sie spricht sehr gut.
We speak a little.
Wir sprechen ein bisschen.
He reads the news.
Er liest die Nachrichten.
Do you read too?
Liest du auch?
We help the teacher.
Wir helfen dem Lehrer.
She helps too.
Sie hilft auch.
I give a gift to mom.
Ich gebe Mama ein Geschenk.
He gives flowers.
Er gibt Blumen.
Do you see the table?
Siehst du den Tisch?
Yes, I see the table.
Ja, ich sehe den Tisch.
He recommends the soup.
Er empfiehlt die Suppe.
I recommend the meat.
Ich empfehle das Fleisch.
Are you speaking with her?
Sprichst du mit ihr?
No, I am speaking with him.
Nein, ich spreche mit ihm.
We read a lot.
Wir lesen viel.
He doesn't read anything.
Er liest gar nichts.
What are you all eating?
Was esst ihr?
We are eating salad.
Wir essen Salat.
The car is standing there.
Das Auto steht dort.
I am standing here.
Ich stehe hier.
Are you all going to the cinema?
Geht ihr ins Kino?
No, she is going home.
Nein, sie geht nach Hause.

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