Participles as adjectives
Compress information inside noun phrases.
The rule
Partizip I usually describes active simultaneous activity; Partizip II often describes a result or completed action. Before a noun, both take adjective endings.
lachende Kinder · das geschlossene Fenster
Partizip I is infinitive + -d and expresses an active simultaneous quality.
Partizip II as an adjective often expresses a completed or passive result.
Decline the participle like any other adjective after the determiner.
Core forms and structures
Use this table as a reference, then retrieve the forms without looking.
| Form | Function | German example | English |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pattern 1 | Present participle spielend takes the plural adjective ending -en. | Die spielenden Kinder sind laut. | The children who are playing are loud. |
| Pattern 2 | Past participle geschlossen describes a resulting state. | Das geschlossene Fenster bleibt zu. | The closed window remains shut. |
| Pattern 3 | Active simultaneous meaning uses Partizip I + mixed -er. | Ein wartender Kunde steht draußen. | A waiting customer is standing outside. |
| Pattern 4 | Past participle describes what was damaged and takes -e. | Wir reparieren die beschädigte Tür. | We repair the damaged door. |
| Pattern 5 | Completed prior arrival uses Partizip II angekommen + -en. | Die gestern angekommenen Gäste schlafen. | The guests who arrived yesterday are sleeping. |
German examples with English meanings
Die spielenden Kinder sind laut.
The children who are playing are loud.
Present participle spielend takes the plural adjective ending -en.
Das geschlossene Fenster bleibt zu.
The closed window remains shut.
Past participle geschlossen describes a resulting state.
Ein wartender Kunde steht draußen.
A waiting customer is standing outside.
Active simultaneous meaning uses Partizip I + mixed -er.
Wir reparieren die beschädigte Tür.
We repair the damaged door.
Past participle describes what was damaged and takes -e.
Die gestern angekommenen Gäste schlafen.
The guests who arrived yesterday are sleeping.
Completed prior arrival uses Partizip II angekommen + -en.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Die gespielt Kinder sind laut.
Correct: Die spielenden Kinder sind laut.
Present participle spielend takes the plural adjective ending -en.
Incorrect: Das schließend Fenster bleibt zu.
Correct: Das geschlossene Fenster bleibt zu.
Past participle geschlossen describes a resulting state.
Incorrect: Ein gewarteter Kunde steht draußen.
Correct: Ein wartender Kunde steht draußen.
Active simultaneous meaning uses Partizip I + mixed -er.
Incorrect: Wir reparieren die beschädigend Tür.
Correct: Wir reparieren die beschädigte Tür.
Past participle describes what was damaged and takes -e.
Incorrect: Die gestern ankommenden Gäste schlafen gestern.
Correct: Die gestern angekommenen Gäste schlafen.
Completed prior arrival uses Partizip II angekommen + -en.
Details and useful distinctions
Expand the phrase into a relative clause to check meaning and participant roles.
Practise this grammar
Expand mentally: who is doing it → Partizip I; what has been done/resulted → Partizip II. Then add the normal adjective ending.
Open Participles as adjectives exercises →
For source references and editorial level notes, see the grammar reference. You can report a correction if an explanation or example seems wrong.