What do you need the Partizip II for?
The Partizip II is one of the most important verb forms in German. You need it in four areas: Perfekt, Plusquamperfekt, Futur II, and Passiv. It can also be used as an adjective, similar to the Partizip I.
Regular verbs
Regular verbs always follow the same formula:
ge + Verbstamm + t
If the verb stem ends in -t or -d, an extra -e- is added: arbeiten → gearbeitet, reden → geredet.
Irregular verbs
Irregular verbs follow no fixed rule. You need to learn them. There are two common patterns:
Type 1: ge + stem + en
The verb stem sometimes changes, but the ending is always -en.
Type 2: ge + changed stem + en/t
Here the stem changes more significantly. You need to memorise these forms.
You'll find a complete list on the Irregular Verbs page.
Separable verbs
With separable verbs, the ge- goes between the prefix and the verb stem.
Präfix + ge + Verbstamm + t / en
You'll find more about separable and inseparable prefixes on the Verbs with Prefixes page.
Verbs with inseparable prefixes
Verbs with the prefixes be-, ver-, er-, ent-, ge-, miss-, zer- do not take ge- in the Partizip II. The prefix already stands at the beginning and replaces it.
Verbs ending in -ieren
Verbs ending in -ieren do not take ge-. The Partizip II always ends in -iert.
Some verbs end in -ieren but are irregular: verlieren → verloren, frieren → gefroren. The rule does not apply here.
Exercises
Three tasks: recognise the Partizip II, form it from the infinitive, and decide whether ge- is needed.
Fill in the Partizip II
Write the Partizip II of the verb in brackets.
Form the Partizip II
Write the correct Partizip II form of the verb in parentheses.
ge- or no ge-?
Does the verb take ge- in the Partizip II?