Participles as adjectives
B1 · Intermediate · Advanced Structures
The rule
Present: laufend; past: gekocht.
How it works
Present participles (laufend, lesend) and past participles (gekocht, geschrieben) can be used as adjectives before a noun, and they take adjective endings: das kochende Wasser (the boiling water), der gelesene Brief (the read letter). Present participles describe an ongoing action, while past participles describe a completed state.
When to use it
Use present participles (laufend) and past participles (gekocht) as adjectives before a noun, such as "das kochende Wasser".
Use cases
- Describing an ongoing action: Das schlafende Baby ist süß
- Describing a result: Die geschriebene Antwort ist klar
- Writing more formal descriptions with participle phrases: Die im Garten spielenden Kinder
Examples
- das kochende Wasser – the boiling water
- Die fallenden Blätter sind schön. – The falling leaves are beautiful.
- Das gebackene Brot riecht gut. – The baked bread smells good.
- Der singende Vogel sitzt im Baum. – The singing bird is sitting in the tree.
Common mistake
Treating every participle as a verb: they can take adjective endings in front of a noun.
Memory tip
Present participle = verb + d: laufend (running); past participle = gekocht (cooked).