German Passive Voice Examples A1-A2
The German passive voice is formed with the verb werden (to become) and the past participle of the main verb, e.g. gegessen (eaten). Learn how to use it with our examples.
What is the German Passive Voice?
The German passive voice is used to emphasize the action rather than the doer, e.g. Das Haus wird gebaut (The house is being built). This construction is useful for formal writing and speaking.
How to Form the German Passive Voice?
To form the German passive voice, use the verb werden in the correct tense and the past participle of the main verb, e.g. Die Tür wird geöffnet (The door is being opened). For more information on verb conjugation, visit our /tools/numbers page.
What are the Most Common German Passive Voice Examples?
- Das Auto wird gewaschen (The car is being washed)
- Die Straße wird repariert (The street is being repaired)
- Das Essen wird zubereitet (The food is being prepared)
How to Practice the German Passive Voice?
- Start by learning the verb werden in different tenses
- Practice forming the passive voice with regular verbs, e.g. gehen (to go) becomes gegangen (gone)
- Use our /tools/prompts page to find speaking and writing prompts on various topics
Practicing German Passive Voice with German Buddy
To practice the German passive voice, try our conversation mode in the German Buddy app, where you can engage in roleplay scenes and receive gentle corrections. Start your 7-day free trial now and visit /pricing to begin.
FAQ
What is the difference between the German passive voice and the active voice?
The main difference is that the passive voice emphasizes the action, while the active voice emphasizes the doer. For example, Ich esse ein Sandwich (I am eating a sandwich) is active, while Ein Sandwich wird gegessen (A sandwich is being eaten) is passive.
Can I use the German passive voice in informal conversations?
While it's possible to use the passive voice in informal conversations, it's generally more common in formal writing and speaking. In informal conversations, the active voice is often preferred, e.g. Ich mache das (I'm doing it) instead of Das wird gemacht (It's being done).
How can I improve my understanding of the German passive voice?
Practice, practice, practice! Try to use the passive voice in your own writing and speaking, and pay attention to how it's used in German media, such as news articles and TV shows. You can also use our /tools/word-of-the-day page to learn new vocabulary and practice your comprehension.