As we have already written, in the German language there are 2 voices (hall): active (or actual) hall. and passive (pass.) (or passive) hall. The German language is famous for its pass. constructions, they are used here much more often than in Russian.

As a rule, the passive hall. (Passiv) is used when it is necessary to emphasize, bring to the fore the action or when the subject is not important.

In Deutschland wird sehr viel gearbeitet. – In Germany they work a lot. (It’s clear who works).

Mein Auto wurde gestohlen. - My car was stolen. (The subject of the action is unknown to us).

Pass very often. hall. used in instructions, operating manuals, orders, etc.

Let's consider the sentence in the active voice. Die Mutter kämmt das Kind. - Mom is combing the child.

In this case, the subject (die Mutter) is active, he performs an action that is aimed at a direct object in the Accusative case (das Kind).

If we change the places of the subject and object, we will get a pass sentence. pledge.

Das Kind wird von der Mutter gekämmt. – The child is being combed by his mother.

In this case, the grammatical subject (das Kind) is not active, but is influenced by the object (von der Mutter), which performs the action. Pass. In a sentence, the agent of action is optional and can be omitted. Das kind wird gekämmt.

In general, from the active room. to obtain a passive one, you need to turn the direct object (a noun in the Accusative case) into a subject, and the subject of the active sentence into an object in the Dative case with the preposition von, all other minor members of the sentence remain unchanged, but do not forget that the form of the verb (verb) consistent with the new subject.

Jeder Lehrer in unserer Schule unterrichtet mehrere verschiedene Fächer. – Each teacher in our school teaches 2 different subjects.

In unserer Schule werden mehrere verschiedene Fächer von einem Lehrer unterrichtet. – At our school, several different subjects are taught by one teacher.

Formation of passive voice forms

In German there are 2 different forms of the passive: the action passive (Vorgangspassiv) and the state passive (Zustandspassiv).

Passive action (Vorgangspassiv), as the name suggests, denotes a process, action, or change of state. Such constructions can be translated into Russian as indefinite-personal sentences or passive ones. The passive action is formed using an auxiliary verb. werden (its personal forms) and the past participle (Partizip II) of the semantic verb. The present tense uses the present tense forms of the verb werden, and the past tense Präteritum uses forms derived from the stem wurde.

Present tense

Ich werde entlassen. - I'm being fired.

Hier wird ein Einkaufszentrum gebaut. - A shopping center is being built here.

Die Kinder werden um 17.00 abgeholt . – Children are picked up at 17.00.

Past tense Präteritum

Ich wurde entlassen. - I was fired.

Hier wurde ein Einkaufszentrum gebaut. - A shopping center was built here.

Die Kinder wurden um 17.00 abgeholt . – The children were picked up at 17.00.

Particular attention should be paid to the formation of a passive hall. in past tenses Perfekt and Plusquamperfekt: the personal form of the auxiliary verb is used here. sein + participle Partizip II of the main verb. + worden (form of verb werden).

Past tense perfect

Ich bin entlassen worden. - I was fired.

Hier ist ein Einkaufszentrum gebaut worden.

- A shopping center was built here.

Die Kinder sind um 17.00 abgeholt worden . – The children were picked up at 17.00.

Past tense Plusquamperfekt

Ich war entlassen worden. - I was fired.

Hier war ein Einkaufszentrum gebaut worden. - A shopping center was built here.

Die Kinder waren um 17.00 abgeholt worden . – The children were picked up at 17.00.

Future tense Futurum I

Hier wird ein Einkaufszentrum gebaut werden. – A shopping center will be built here.

Die Kinder werden um 17.00 abgeholt werden . – Children will be picked up at 17.00.

Future tense Futurum II

Ich werde entlassen worden sein. - I'll be fired.

Hier wird ein Einkaufszentrum gebaut worden sein. – A shopping center will be built here.

Die Kinder werden um 17.00 abgeholt worden sein . – Children will be picked up at 17.00.

In addition to the passive action, there is another type of passive in the German language. – passive state (Zustandspassiv), which denotes the result of an action. These sentences answer the question in what state is the object? (Wie ist der Zustand?) In sentences with this form of the passive hall. there is never an agent of action. Such constructions are usually translated into Russian by short participles.

Die Tür ist geschlossen. - The door is locked.

Mein Herz ist zerbrochen. - My heart is broken.

Du bist eingeladen. - You are invited.

The passive state is formed using an auxiliary verb. sein and the past participle of the semantic verb. It is usually used only in the present tense and the past tense Präteritum. Accordingly, the present tense forms of the auxiliary verb are used. sein, and in the past – past tense.

Der Brief ist geschrieben. - The letter has been written.

Der Brief war geschrieben. - The letter was written.

Meine Sachen sind schon eingepackt. - My things are already packed.

Meine Sachen waren schon eingepackt. – My things were already packed.

For those who study the passive language, the German language usually does not seem too difficult, since there is nothing supernatural here. However, it is worth paying attention to such an aspect as using passive voice with modal verbs.

Ich muss heute diese Arbeit beenden. – I have to finish this work today.

Diese Arbeit muss heute beendet werden. – This work should be completed today.

To form a passive sentence with a modal verb, you need to replace the infinitive with the semantic verb. on the construction past participle + werden.

Die Kinder müssen um 17.00 abgeholt werden . – Children need to be picked up at 17.00.

Die Flüsse dürfen nicht verschmutzt werden. – Rivers cannot be polluted.

Usually a passive hall. with modal verbs. used in the present tense and imperfect (Präteritum). In such sentences only the tense form of the modal verb changes:

Der Patient muss sofort operiert werden. – The patient must be operated on urgently. - Present time.

Der Patient musste sofort operiert werden. – The patient needed to be operated on urgently. - Past tense.

If in the active hall. the verb is used. wollen, then in the passive it is replaced by sollen.

Man will einen neuen Spielplatz hier bauen. → Hier soll ein neuer Spielplatzgebaut werden.

Methods for replacing passive structures

Despite the fact that the language of the great Goethe very often uses the passive, the German language also has several opportunities to avoid its use. This is especially true for passive constructions with modal verbs.

• They can be replaced by sein+zu+infinitive:

Das Handy kann repariert werden. → Das Handy ist zu reparieren. – The mobile phone can be repaired.

Solches Benehmen kann nicht verziehen werden.→ Solches Benehmen ist nicht zu verzeihen. “Such behavior cannot be forgiven.

• Using the phrase sich lassen + infinitive:

Das Handy lässt sich reparieren.

Solches Benehmen lässt sich nicht verzeihen.

• Using an auxiliary verb. sein + adjective with the suffix -bar or -lich. True, there is no clear rule for when to use which suffix:

Das Handy ist reparierbar.

Solches Benehmen ist nicht verzeihlich.

Details Category: Passive in German

Passive (Passiv, or passive voice) - shows the “undergoing” by the object of some action (“The letter is being written by me.”). It can also denote the result of such an action (“The letter was written by me”).

Passive is widespread in Germanwiderthan in Russian, andused more often. For this reason, it is important to master this voice.

Passiv in German is formed from transitive verbs using an auxiliary verb werden in the appropriate temporary form andPartizip II(third form) of the main verb.

To better understand what Passiv is, compare the following two sentences:

Der Junge liest ein interessantes Buch. - This active voice (das Active)
Boy reading interesting book.

Ein interessantes Buch wird von dem Jungen gelesen. - This passive voice (das Passive)
Interesting book read by a boy.

In German not used in Passiv the following verbs:

bekommen - to receive
interessieren - to interest
besitzen - to possess
kennen - to know
enthalten - to contain
kosten - cost
erfahren - to find out
wissen - to know
haben - to have
kennenlernen - to get acquainted

Passive and tenses in German

The passive voice has the same 6 temporary forms, as active, as well as forms Infinitiv I and Infinitiv II.

The tense of a passive construction is determined by the tense of the verbwerden- this auxiliary verb is used in the appropriate tense form.

Below we provide verb conjugation tables fragen in Passiv for all 6 tense forms.

The main forms of the verb werden are as follows: werden - wurde - geworden . Please note that Perfekt Passiv and Plusquamperfekt Passiv use the old Partizip II form of this verb: worden (not geworden).

Futur II is almost never used in modern German, so Futur I Passiv is often designated simply as Futur Passiv. Futur Passiv, in turn, is often replaced by the form Präsens Passiv, especially if there is an indication of the time of the action in the future, for example: In zwei Tagen wird die Ausstellung eröffnet. - The exhibition will open (open) in two days.

Let us give specific examples of the formation of temporary forms of Passiv:

Präsens Passive:
Der Roman wird gelesen. - The novel is being read.
(werden in Präsens + Partizip II of the main verb)

Präteritum Passive:
Der Roman wurde gelesen. - The novel was read (read).
(werden in Präteritum + Partizip II of the main verb)

Perfect Passiv:
Der Roman ist gelesen worden. - The novel was read (read).
(werden in Perfect + Partizip II of the main verb)

Plusquamperfect Passive:
Der Roman war gelesen worden. - The novel was read (read).
(werden in Plusquamperfekt + Partizip II of the main verb)

Future I Passiv:
Der Roman wird gelesen werden. - The novel will be read (will be read).
(werden in Futur I + Partizip II of the main verb)

Passive: von or durch?

Passive used mainly in those sentences in which it is important to name not the actor as such, but the object of the action. Wherein executor actions often at all not called:

Die Stadt St.Petersburg wurde 1703 gegründet. - The city of St. Petersburg was founded in 1703.
Die bestellten Bücher werden am nächsten Tag ausgegeben. - Ordered books are issued the next day.

If necessary (but rarely), the performer of the action in Passiv is introduced as an object with a preposition von or durch:

vonis more often used if the performer of the action isanimatethe person from whom the action comes (less commonly, an inanimate noun denoting a feeling, mood, or natural force)

durch used with inanimatenouns (less often - to designate animate persons as mediators of action).

Examples of using von and durch in Passive:

Das Radio ist von A. S. Popov erfunden worden. - Radio was invented by A.S. Popov.
Das ganze Dorf wurde durch den Brand vernichtet. - The entire village was destroyed by fire.

Ich wurde von meiner Schwester geweckt. - My sister woke me up. (I was woken up by my sister.)
Ich wurde durch den Straßenlärm geweckt. - I was woken up by street noise. (I was awakened by street noise.)

Nounsdie Sonne, der Mond, der Sternas the subject of action when the predicate in Passiv is used with a preposition von, for example:

Am Tage wird die Erde von der Sonne beleuchtet - During the day the earth is illuminated by the sun.

Passive and conjunctive 1

To form these forms, the verb forms named in the table are used werden:

Gegenwart ich würde informiert, du werdest informiert
Zukunft ich würde informiert werden, du werdest informiert werden
Vergangenheit ich sei informiert worden, du sei(e)st informiert wordenPassive and conjunctive 1

Passive and conjunctive 2

ihm wird geholfen -> ihm würde geholfen

ihm wurde geholfen -> ihm Back

Passive in German (Das Passiv/die Leideform) - all cases when the passive voice is used in German.

The passive in German (also called the passive voice in German) is used in scientific articles, instructions, and also in cases when:

• the performer of the action is unknown or unimportant:

Plöylich wird die Tür geoggnet- door suddenly opened

• the performer of the action is explicit:

Die polizei war sofort zur Stelle- the police immediately arrived on the scene

• the purpose of an action is its subject:

Dem Mann geholfen werden – a man can be helped

• the performer of the action is unimportant or the action is more important than the performer himself:

Er ist mir geasgt worden – I was told

In a German sentence in the passive voice (passive), the performer of the action or the cause is introduced into the sentence using German prepositions: von, durch, mit:

von- when indicating the root cause. The performer of the action can be: person, organization, institution, animal, forces of nature, objects, abstract concepts:

Er wurde von der Firma eingelagen - he was invited by the company...

Er wurde von Schlange gebissen – he was bitten by a snake

Der Baum ist vom Blitz getroffen worden – a tree was struck by lightning

Der Passant wurde vom Auto besprizt - a car sprayed a passerby

Sie wurde vom Glück beflügel - she was inspired by happiness

durch- used when talking about an intermediary, a measure, a secondary reason, to show a means. Intermediaries can be: action, phenomenon, person, animal being:

Der Brief wurde durch die Post geschickt – the letter was sent by mail

mit– means, instrument, circumstance:

Die Flasche wurde mit Wein gefüllt– the bottle was filled with wine

Note:

von and durch can be used interchangeably:

With verbs:

schützen/ sichern/ decken – to protect

durch and mit (performance is not expressed using mit ).

Das wird gewollt, gekonnt, gesollt- they want it, they can do it, they have to

3.4. verbs that are used in a modal meaning:

fahren, bleiben, gehen, kommen, lehren, helfen, lassen; verbs of perception: sehen, fühlen, spüren

verbs betrеffen – to touch, gelten – to have weight, interessieren – to interest

With this article about the passive voice (passive) in German, we complete the cycle of German grammar dedicated to verbs, and in the next article we move on to a new group - prepositions in German.

Before we start talking about the passive, let's understand active and passive sentences.

In an active sentence, the subject who does something is important. The question is asked using the word Who – wer.

In a passive sentence, it is not the subject that is important, but the action that he does, the question sounds like What – was.

Was passiert?	Das Buch wird gelesen.	What's happening? The book is being read.
Was passiert?	Das Haus wird gestrichen.	What's happening? The house is being painted.
Was passiert?	Das Zimmer wird gebucht.	What's happening? The room is being reserved.

Who reads a book in a passive sentence is not important, so very often the person is omitted. If you need to say who or what is performing an action, then this is done as follows:

when directly indicating the subject or reason, preposition von + case Dativ

Das Buch wird vom Schüler (student) gelesen.
Das Haus wird vom Maler (painter) gestrichen.
Das Zimmer wird vom Rezeptionisten (registrar) gebucht.

when indirectly indicating the subject or reason, preposition durch + case Akkusativ

Das Haus wird durch das Grundwasser zerstört. – The house is destroyed by groundwater (due to groundwater).
Das Paket wird durch die Post geliefert. – The parcel is delivered by mail.
Der Roman wird durch diesen Verlag veröffentlicht. – The novel is published by this publishing house.

Passive forms

The passive describes an action, process, state, or result. Therefore, there are 2 forms of passive:

Action or process formed with the auxiliary verb werden + Partizip II, so-called Vorgangspassiv or Werden-Passive:

Die Blumen werden von der Oma gegossen. – Flowers are watered by grandmother.
Der Schweinebraten wird von Florian gekocht. – The pork roast is prepared by Florian.
Die Apotheke wird bald wieder geöffnet. – The pharmacy will reopen soon.

Vorgangspassiv or werden-Passiv puts the action or process first.

Condition or result is formed using the auxiliary verb sein, the so-called. Zustandspassive or sein-Passive.

Die Blumen sind gegossen. - The flowers are watered.
Der Schweinebraten ist gekocht. – Pork roast is cooked.
Die Apotheke ist wieder geöffnet. – The pharmacy is open again.

Introduction

Passive (in Russian - passive voice) means an action that is performed on an object. Thus, the action itself is emphasized, and who (what) performs it - in this case it does not matter whether it is unknown or well known.

Beispiel

Ein Mann wurde angefahren. Er ist verletzt.

Dem Verletzten wurde ein Verband angelegt. Jetzt wild der Mann ins Krankenhaus gebracht.

Use

Passive action used to emphasize action (what's happening?). Who performs the action is unknown or unimportant.

For example: Ein Mann wurde angefahren. A man was hit. Dem Verletzten wurde ein Verband angelegt. The victim was bandaged. Jetzt wild der Mann ins Krankenhaus gebracht. Now the man will be taken to the hospital.

The most important information in these sentences is that someone was hurt, that they were bandaged, and that they were going to the hospital. Who hit the man, who bandaged him, and who takes him to the hospital is irrelevant or unknown in this case.

Passive state expresses a state as the result of an already completed action.

For example: Er ist verletzt. He's injured.

During the action, the man was injured - now he is injured.

Education

Passive action

werden(+ object) + participle II

Passive state

Subject + corresponding verb tense sein+ participle II

Asset or liability

Assets(in Russian – active voice) is used to emphasize who what) performs an action.

For example: Der Lehrer erklärte uns das Passiv. The teacher explained the passive to us.

Passive used in those sentences in which it is important to emphasize the action itself. There is often no indication of who or what is performing this action in such sentences.

For example: Das Passiv wurde uns(vom Lehrer) erklärt. The passive was explained to us./ The passive was explained to us by the teacher.

Verbs that do not form a passive

Intransitive verbs (verbs without a direct object in the accusative case) do not form a passive. Such verbs include, for example:

• Verbs that form the perfect with an auxiliary verb sein(for example, gehen) For example: Ich bin einkaufen gegangen. I went shopping. Ich wurde einkaufen gegangen.

  It is impossible to form a passive because there is no direct object.

• Reflexive verbs For example: Ich habe mich versteckt. I hid.(Ich bin mich versteckt worden.)
• Other intransitive verbs For example: Er schläft. He's sleeping.(Er wird geschlafen.)

  But: In colloquial speech these verbs can form bimpersonal passive(see "Features" below), for example, as a requirement or appeal.

  For example: Jetzt wird geschlafen! Now go to sleep!

Note

Not all transitive verbs can form a passive. Such verbs include, for example, verbs haben, kennen, wissen and impersonal circulation es gibt.

For example: Ich habe einen Hund. I have a dog.(Ein Hund wird gehabt.) Ich kenne die Frau. I know this woman.(Die Frau wird gekannt.) Ich weiß die Antwort. I know the answer.(Die Antwort wird gewusst.) Es gibt viele Museen. There are many museums.(Viele Museen werden gegeben.)

Converting an active into a passive action

When converting an asset into a liability, the following happens:

• The direct object in the accusative (vin. case) becomes the subject.
• The subject is omitted or added using the construction “von (+ dative)”.
• The semantic verb is in the form participle II, in addition, an auxiliary verb is added werden in the appropriate tense, person and number.

An example of education in all temporary forms

Peculiarities

Only the direct object in the accusative (vin. case) becomes the subject in the nominative. If an active sentence contains a dative complement that must take first place in the sentence, its case does not change.

Active: Jemand legte dem Verletzten einen Verband an. Someone put a bandage on the victim. passive: Dem Verletzten wurde ein Verband angelegt. The victim was/was bandaged.

Sentences without a direct object can also be converted into a passive ( impersonal passive). To do this, add the personal pronoun ‚es‘ or adverbial adverb.

For example: Wir tanzten (gestern) viel. (Yesterday) we danced a lot. – Es/Gestern wurde viel getanzt. (Yesterday) we danced a lot.