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German passive voice examples: 10 sentences you need

The German passive voice (das Passiv) is built with the auxiliary verb werden plus the past participle of the main verb; the agent can be added with von or omitted. This structure lets you shift focus from the performer to the action or result. Below you’ll find the rules, typical situations, and ready‑to‑use examples, plus a quick practice routine.

How is the German passive voice formed?

German uses two main passive constructions: the Vorgangspassiv (process passive) with werden and the Zustandspassiv (state passive) with sein + past participle + worden. The basic formula is:

Subject + werden (present) + past participle (+ von + agent)

Examples:

  • Der Brief wird geschrieben (The letter is being written)
  • Das Haus wurde gebaut (The house was built)
  • Die Fenster werden gereinigt (The windows are being cleaned)
  • Der Kuchen ist gegessen worden (The cake has been eaten)

For the state passive you say:

Subject + sein + past participle + worden

Example: Der Brief ist geschrieben worden (The letter has been written).

Explore more everyday phrases at everyday phrases to see passive forms in context.

When should I use the passive in German?

The passive is useful when the doer is unknown, irrelevant, or you want a more formal tone. It appears frequently in news reports, scientific texts, and official instructions.

  • Die Straße wird repariert (The street is being repaired) – the workers are not mentioned.
  • Der Preis wird erhöht (The price is being increased) – typical in business announcements.
  • Es wird empfohlen, früh zu kommen (It is recommended to arrive early) – impersonal advice.
  • Der Antrag wurde abgelehnt (The application was rejected) – focus on the result.

In formal letters you often replace the active ich with a passive construction to sound more objective.

What are common German passive voice examples?

Below are ten ready‑to‑use sentences that illustrate different tenses and contexts. Each German sentence is in bold followed by its English translation.

  1. Der Kuchen wird gebacken (The cake is being baked)
  2. Die E‑Mails wurden gestern gesendet (The e‑mails were sent yesterday)
  3. Das Problem ist gelöst worden (The problem has been solved)
  4. Der Film wird im Kino gezeigt (The film is shown in the cinema)
  5. Die Ergebnisse werden nächste Woche veröffentlicht (The results will be published next week)
  6. Der Vertrag wurde von beiden Parteien unterschrieben (The contract was signed by both parties)
  7. Der Bericht ist fertig geschrieben worden (The report has been finished writing)
  8. Die Tür wird automatisch geschlossen (The door is closed automatically)
  9. Der Kunde wird über die Änderungen informiert (The customer is informed about the changes)
  10. Die Daten werden regelmäßig gesichert (The data are backed up regularly)

Use the word of the day tool to add new passive verbs to your vocabulary each day.

How can I practice the German passive voice today?

Follow this short routine to turn theory into habit:

  1. Write five sentences in the active voice about your day (e.g., Ich repariere das Fahrrad).
  2. Convert each sentence to the passive using the rules above.
  3. Read the passive version aloud, paying attention to the pronunciation of werden and worden.
  4. Record yourself and compare with the native audio in listen‑and‑repeat.
  5. Check your sentences with the free writing prompts tool – select the "Passive voice" filter if available.

Doing this for just ten minutes each day builds confidence quickly.

Practice the passive voice with German Buddy

German Buddy lets you type or speak your passive sentences and receive instant, natural‑sounding corrections plus a short tip. Start with the examples above, enter them in the Conversation mode, and let the app suggest smoother phrasing. You get 7 days of unlimited practice, then a free daily allowance that never runs out. start practising free.

FAQ

Can the passive be used with modal verbs?

Yes. Combine the modal verb in infinitive with werden: Der Brief muss geschrieben werden (The letter must be written).

Is the passive common in spoken German?

It appears less often in casual conversation than in written or formal speech, but you will hear it in news reports and service announcements.

What is the difference between "wird" and "ist ... worden"?

"Wird" forms the present or simple past passive (process), while "ist ... worden" expresses a completed action (state) and is equivalent to the English perfect passive.

Do I need to use "von" for the agent?

Only when you want to specify who performed the action. If the agent is irrelevant, you can omit it: Das Fenster wird repariert (The window is being repaired).