SUF: Stem Changing Verbs

Stem Changing Verbs

We have learned in the previous modules that stem-changing verbs are those verbs that have a slight change in the stem, when conjugated in the 2nd (du) and 3rd (er, sie, es) person singular. Here are a few new ones:

Laufen

The -au in lauf- goes to äu = du läufst

Be sure to listen to the recording of how these verbs with stem vowel changes are pronounced.

Present Tense Forms of laufen - to run
Singular Plural
  • ich laufe / I run
  • du läufst / you (informal) run
  • er/sie/es läuft / He/she/it runs
  • wir laufen / We run
  • ihr lauft / You (plural - Ya'll) run
  • sie laufen / They run
  • Sie laufen / You (formal) run

Sehen

The -e in seh- goes to ie = du siehst

Be sure to listen to the recording of how these verbs with stem vowel changes are pronounced.

Present Tense Forms of sehen - to see
Singular Plural
  • ich sehe / I see
  • du siehst / you (informal) see
  • er/sie/es sieht / He/she/it sees
  • wir sehen / We see
  • ihr seht / You (plural - Ya'll) see
  • sie sehen / They see
  • Sie sehen/  You (formal) see

Lesen

The -e in les- goes to ie = du liest

Be sure to listen to the recording of how these verbs with stem vowel changes are pronounced.

Present Tense Forms of lesen - to read
Singular Plural
  • ich lese / I read
  • du liest / you (informal) read
  • er/sie/es liest / He/she/it reads
  • wir lesen / We read
  • ihr lest  / You (plural - Ya'll) read
  • sie lesen / They read
  • Sie lesen / You (formal) read

Review - Stem Changing Verbs

Some of the other stem changing verbs we have learned are:

  • fahren (fährt) = to go/drive/travel
  • essen (isst) = to eat
  • nehmen (nimmt) = to take

Practice Activity

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