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Verben mit Stammvokaländerung
Some German verbs change their stem vowel in the present tense, but only in the du and er/sie/es forms. These are called 'stem-changing verbs' or 'strong verbs'. The stem change makes pronunciation easier and follows specific patterns.
Stem-changing verbs undergo a vowel change in their stem, but ONLY for du, er, sie, and es forms. The ich, wir, ihr, sie (plural), and Sie (formal) forms remain regular.
Three main patterns:
e → i (sprechen, essen, geben) e → ie (lesen, sehen, empfehlen) a → ä (fahren, schlafen, tragen)
The 'e' in the stem changes to 'i' for du and er/sie/es forms
Examples:
The 'e' in the stem changes to 'ie' (pronounced as long 'ee') for du and er/sie/es forms
Examples:
The 'a' in the stem changes to 'ä' for du and er/sie/es forms
Examples:
The stem vowel change NEVER happens in ich, wir, ihr, sie (plural), or Sie (formal) forms. These remain regular.
Examples:
🇩🇪 Ich spreche Deutsch.
🇬🇧 I speak German.
💡 ich form - no change
Context: Regular conjugation
🇩🇪 Du sprichst sehr gut!
🇬🇧 You speak very well!
💡 du form - e→i change
Context: Stem changes to 'sprich'
🇩🇪 Er spricht drei Sprachen.
🇬🇧 He speaks three languages.
💡 er form - e→i change
Context: Stem changes to 'sprich'
🇩🇪 Was liest du gerade?
🇬🇧 What are you reading right now?
💡 du form - e→ie change
Context: From 'lesen' → 'liest'
🇩🇪 Sie isst gerne Pizza.
🇬🇧 She likes to eat pizza.
💡 sie form - e→i change
Context: From 'essen' → 'isst'
🇩🇪 Fährst du mit dem Auto?
🇬🇧 Are you driving by car?
💡 du form - a→ä change
Context: From 'fahren' → 'fährst'
Memorize stem-changing verbs in pairs: 'sprechen → du sprichst', 'essen → du isst', 'fahren → du fährst'. This makes the pattern automatic.
Remember: ONLY du and er/sie/es forms change. If you forget, you can still use the regular forms and Germans will understand you!
The e→i pattern has the most verbs. Focus on mastering sprechen, essen, geben, nehmen, and treffen first.
'Nehmen' (to take) is irregular: du nimmst, er nimmt. The entire stem changes, not just the vowel!
Changing ALL forms
Don't change ich, wir, ihr, sie, Sie forms! Only du and er/sie/es. 'Wir spriichen' is wrong - it's 'wir sprechen'.
Forgetting to change du/er/sie/es
'Er sprecht' is wrong. With stem-changing verbs, you MUST change: 'er spricht' (e→i change).
Mixing up e→i and e→ie
Some verbs use 'i' (sprechen→spricht), others use 'ie' (lesen→liest). Learn each verb's specific pattern.
Changing in past tense
Stem changes ONLY happen in present tense! In perfect tense, use the regular past participle: 'Ich habe gesprochen' (not 'gesprichen').
Was isst du zum Frühstück?
What do you eat for breakfast?
📚 essen → isst (e→i change in du form)
Mein Vater fährt jeden Tag zur Arbeit.
My father drives to work every day.
📚 fahren → fährt (a→ä change in er form)
Siehst du das Haus dort?
Do you see the house there?
📚 sehen → siehst (e→ie change in du form)
Sie nimmt den Bus.
She takes the bus.
📚 nehmen → nimmt (irregular change in sie form)
Wir sprechen Deutsch in der Schule.
We speak German at school.
📚 sprechen - NO change in wir form (regular)