In addition to regular verbs that follow predictable patterns, German has numerous common verbs that are irregular. These must be memorized individually since they do not follow standard rules. Mastering irregular verb conjugation is key for fluency in German. This guide will explain the most important irregular verbs and how to use them correctly in the present tense.

What Makes a Verb Irregular?

While regular German verbs use consistent endings in the present tense, irregular verbs undergo unpredictable stem vowel changes. For example:

Infinitive: fahren (to drive)

Ich fahre (I drive)

Du fährst (You drive)

Er/sie/es fährt (He/She/it drives)

The stem vowel changes from a to ä in this case.

Other examples of quirks in irregular verbs:

• Radical vowel changes
• Unexpected consonant shifts
• Seemingly random endings

There are no absolutes, so irregular verbs must be memorized separately. Here are explanations of the most common and important irregular verbs in German.

"Sein" - To Be

The verb "sein" meaning "to be" is one of the most frequently used irregular verbs in German. It is used to express existence or state of being.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich bin (I am)

Du bist (You are)

Er/sie/es ist (He/She/it is)

Wir sind (We are)

Ihr seid (You all are)

Sie sind (You are)

Watch out for the ich and er/sie/es forms here, as they do not follow normal endings.

Examples:

Ich bin hungrig. (I am hungry).

Du bist Lehrer. (You are a teacher).

Er ist 21 Jahre alt. (He is 21 years old).

"Sein" is integral to describing identities, feelings, situations and more in German.

"Haben" - To Have

"Haben" meaning "to have" is another highly common irregular verb. It is used to express possession or relationships.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich habe (I have)

Du hast (You have)

Er/sie/es hat (He/She/it has)

Wir haben (We have)

Ihr habt (You all have)

Sie haben (You have)

Pay close attention to the ich, du, and er/sie/es forms.

Examples:

Ich habe einen Bruder. (I have a brother).

Du hast recht. (You're right).

Sie hat blaue Augen. (She has blue eyes).

"Haben" is essential for describing relationships and ownership in German.

"Gehen" - To Go

The verb "gehen" meaning "to go" is irregular in the present tense. This is a very common verb for describing movement and travel.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich gehe (I go)

Du gehst (You go)

Er/sie/es geht (He/She/it goes)

Wir gehen (We go)

Ihr geht (You all go)

Sie gehen (You go)

Watch the du and er/sie/es forms.

Examples:

Ich gehe jetzt zur Arbeit. (I am going to work now).

Gehst du mit? (Are you coming along?)

Er geht zum Bahnhof. (He goes to the train station).

"Gehen" is useful for discussing trips, commutes, and outings.

"Sprechen" - To Speak

"Sprechen" meaning "to speak" or "to talk" is a common irregular verb.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich spreche (I speak)

Du sprichst (You speak)

Er/sie/es spricht (He/She/it speaks)

Wir sprechen (We speak)

Ihr sprecht (You all speak)

Sie sprechen (You speak)

The du and er/sie/es forms are irregular here.

Examples:

Ich spreche kein Italienisch. (I don't speak Italian).

Sprichst du Englisch? (Do you speak English?)

Er spricht sehr schnell. (He speaks very fast).

Use "sprechen" when discussing languages, conversations, and abilities.

"Essen" - To Eat

The verb "essen" meaning "to eat" is irregular in the present tense. This is useful for describing meals.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich esse (I eat)

Du isst (You eat)

Er/sie/es isst (He/She/it eats)

Wir essen (We eat)

Ihr esst (You all eat)

Sie essen (You eat)

Notice the vowel and consonant shifts in this verb.

Examples:

Ich esse jetzt zu Mittag. (I'm eating lunch now).

Isst du gerne Fisch? (Do you like eating fish?)

Sie isst immer bio. (She always eats organic).

Use "essen" to discuss eating habits, diets, and meals.

"Lesen" - To Read

"Lesen" meaning "to read" is an irregular verb useful for discussing books and literacy.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich lese (I read)

Du liest (You read)

Er/sie/es liest (He/She/it reads)

Wir lesen (We read)

Ihr lest (You all read)

Sie lesen (You read)

Watch the vowel change in du and er/sie/es.

Examples:

Ich lese viele Bücher. (I read many books).

Liest du gern Krimis? (Do you like reading crime novels?)

Sie liest täglich die Zeitung. (She reads the newspaper daily).

Use "lesen" to talk about reading habits and materials.

"Schlafen" - To Sleep

The verb "schlafen" means "to sleep" and is irregular in the present tense.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich schlafe (I sleep)

Du schläfst (You sleep)

Er/sie/es schläft (He/She/it sleeps)

Wir schlafen (We sleep)

Ihr schlaft (You all sleep)

Sie schlafen (You sleep)

Note the vowel and consonant changes.

Examples:

Ich schlafe acht Stunden pro Nacht. (I sleep eight hours per night).

Schläfst du schon? (Are you sleeping yet?)

Das Baby schläft. (The baby is sleeping).

Use "schlafen" to discuss sleep habits and bedtime routines.

"Laufen" - To Run

"Laufen" meaning "to run" or "to walk" is irregular in the present tense.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich laufe (I run)

Du läufst (You run)

Er/sie/es läuft (He/She/it runs)

Wir laufen (We run)

Ihr lauft (You all run)

Sie laufen (You run)

Watch the vowel change in du and er/sie/es.

Examples:

Ich laufe morgens. (I run in the mornings).

Läufst du Marathon? (Do you run marathons?)

Er läuft sehr schnell. (He runs very fast).

Use "laufen" for discussing exercise, running, races, and walking.

"Mögen" - To Like

The verb "mögen" means "to like" and is highly irregular.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich mag (I like)

Du magst (You like)

Er/sie/es mag (He/She/it likes)

Wir mögen (We like)

Ihr mögt (You all like)

Sie mögen (You like)

This verb undergoes several stem vowel and ending changes.

Examples:

Ich mag den Film. (I like the movie).

Magst du Fußball? (Do you like soccer?)

Er mag keine Tomaten. (He doesn't like tomatoes).

Use "mögen" to discuss liking and disliking things.

"Wissen" - To Know

"Wissen" means "to know" and is irregular in the present tense.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich weiß (I know)

Du weißt (You know)

Er/sie/es weiß (He/She/it knows)

Wir wissen (We know)

Ihr wisst (You all know)

Sie wissen (You know)

This verb has many unpredictable changes.

Examples:

Ich weiß die Antwort nicht. (I don't know the answer).

Weißt du, wie spät es ist? (Do you know what time it is?)

Er weiß alles! (He knows everything!)

Use "wissen" to discuss knowledge and information.

"Wollen" - To Want

"Wollen" meaning "to want" or "to wish" is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich will (I want)

Du willst (You want)

Er/sie/es will (He/She/it wants)

Wir wollen (We want)

Ihr wollt (You all want)

Sie wollen (You want)

Watch the vowel and consonant shifts.

Examples:

Ich will mehr Geld. (I want more money).

Willst du einen Kaffee? (Do you want coffee?)

Er will Arzt werden. (He wants to become a doctor).

Use "wollen" when discussing desires, intentions, and requests.

"Können" - To Be Able To

The verb "können" means "to be able to" and is irregular in the present tense.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich kann (I can)

Du kannst (You can)

Er/sie/es kann (He/She/it can)

Wir können (We can)

Ihr könnt (You all can)

Sie können (You can)

This verb follows a fairly predictable pattern.

Examples:

Ich kann gut schwimmen. (I can swim well).

Kannst du mir helfen? (Can you help me?)

Er kann kein Französisch. (He can't speak French).

Use "können" to discuss abilities and possibilities.

"Müssen" - To Have To

"Müssen" means "to have to" or "must" and is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich muss (I must)

Du musst (You must)

Er/sie/es muss (He/She/it must)

Wir müssen (We must)

Ihr müsst (You must)

Sie müssen (You must)

The consonant changes here make this verb irregular.

Examples:

Ich muss jetzt gehen. (I have to go now).

Musst du arbeiten? (Do you have to work?)

Wir müssen pünktlich sein. (We must be on time).

Use "müssen" to discuss obligations, necessities, and requirements.

"Dürfen" - To Be Allowed To

"Dürfen" indicates permission or "to be allowed to" and is irregular.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich darf (I may)

Du darfst (You may)

Er/sie/es darf (He/She/it may)

Wir dürfen (We may)

Ihr dürft (You all may)

Sie dürfen (You may)

This verb has many unpredictable changes.

Examples:

Ich darf das nicht. (I'm not allowed to do that).

Darfst du ausgehen? (Are you allowed to go out?)

Hier darf man nicht rauchen. (Smoking is not permitted here).

Use "dürfen" to set rules and discuss what is permitted.

"Sollen" - To Be Supposed To

"Sollen" indicates recommendation or obligation ("to be supposed to"). It is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich soll (I should)

Du sollst (You should)

Er/sie/es soll (He/She/it should)

Wir sollen (We should)

Ihr sollt (You all should)

Sie sollen (You should)

This is an irregular but very useful verb.

Examples:

Ich soll mein Zimmer aufräumen. (I'm supposed to clean my room).

Soll ich Milch kaufen? (Should I buy milk?)

Du sollst mehr Obst essen. (You should eat more fruit).

Use "sollen" for giving recommendations and instructions.

"Lassen" - To Let/Leave

"Lassen" can mean "to let" or "to leave" and is irregular.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich lasse (I leave)

Du lässt (You leave)

Er/sie/es lässt (He/She/it leaves)

Wir lassen (We leave)

Ihr lasst (You all leave)

Sie lassen (You leave)

Watch the a to ä vowel change.

Examples:

Ich lasse mein Auto zu Hause. (I'm leaving my car at home).

Lässt du mich ausreden? (Will you let me finish?)

Er lässt das Fenster offen. (He leaves the window open).

Use "lassen" to discuss allowing and leaving things.

"Heißen" - To Be Called/Named

"Heißen" is used to express what someone or something is named or called. It has an irregular present tense conjugation:

Ich heiße (I am called)

Du heißt (You are called)

Er/sie/es heißt (He/She/it is called)

Wir heißen (We are called)

Ihr heißt (You all are called)

Sie heißen (You are called)

Examples:

Ich heiße Monika. (My name is Monika).

Wie heißt du? (What's your name?)

Das heißt "Schmetterling". (That's called "butterfly").

Use "heißen" when stating names and terms.

"Finden" - To Find

"Finden" meaning "to find" is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich finde (I find)

Du findest (You find)

Er/sie/es findet (He/She/it finds)

Wir finden (We find)

Ihr findet (You all find)

Sie finden (You find)

Examples:

Ich finde den Film langweilig. (I find the movie boring).

Findest du Mathematik schwierig? (Do you find math difficult?)

Er findet nie seine Schlüssel! (He never finds his keys!)

Use "finden" to discuss discovering and locating things, and to express opinions.

"Bleiben" - To Stay

"Bleiben" means "to stay" and is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich bleibe (I stay)

Du bleibst (You stay)

Er/sie/es bleibt (He/She/it stays)

Wir bleiben (We stay)

Ihr bleibt (You all stay)

Sie bleiben (You stay)

Examples:

Ich bleibe heute zu Hause. (I'm staying home today).

Bleibst du auch über Nacht? (Are you also staying overnight?)

Er bleibt in einem Hotel. (He's staying at a hotel).

Use "bleiben" to discuss remaining and not leaving.

"Denken" - To Think

"Denken" means "to think" and is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich denke (I think)

Du denkst (You think)

Er/sie/es denkt (He/She/it thinks)

Wir denken (We think)

Ihr denkt (You all think)

Sie denken (You think)

Examples:

Ich denke, du hast recht. (I think you're right).

Was denkst du darüber? (What do you think about it?)

Sie denkt positiv. (She thinks positively).

Use "denken" to express thoughts and opinions.

"Glauben" - To Believe

"Glauben" means "to believe" and is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich glaube (I believe)

Du glaubst (You believe)

Er/sie/es glaubt (He/She/it believes)

Wir glauben (We believe)

Ihr glaubt (You all believe)

Sie glauben (You believe)

Examples:

Ich glaube dir nicht. (I don't believe you).

Glaubst du an Geister? (Do you believe in ghosts?)

Er glaubt an Gott. (He believes in God).

Use "glauben" to discuss beliefs and convictions.

"Bringen" - To Bring

"Bringen" meaning "to bring" is an irregular verb in German.

Present tense conjugation

"Bringen" - To Bring

Present tense conjugation:

Ich bringe (I bring)

Du bringst (You bring)

Er/sie/es bringt (He/She/it brings)

Wir bringen (We bring)

Ihr bringt (You all bring)

Sie bringen (You bring)

Examples:

Ich bringe Blumen mit. (I'm bringing flowers).

Bringst du mir etwas zu essen? (Will you bring me something to eat?)

Sie bringt ihren Freund zur Party. (She is bringing her boyfriend to the party).

Use "bringen" to discuss transporting and delivering things.

"Kommen" - To Come

"Kommen" meaning "to come" is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich komme (I come)

Du kommst (You come)

Er/sie/es kommt (He/She/it comes)

Wir kommen (We come)

Ihr kommt (You all come)

Sie kommen (You come)

Examples:

Ich komme aus Berlin. (I come from Berlin).

Kommst du mit ins Kino? (Are you coming to the movies with me?)

Der Bus kommt gleich. (The bus is coming soon).

Use "kommen" to discuss arriving and coming to a place.

"Nehmen" - To Take

"Nehmen" meaning "to take" is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich nehme (I take)

Du nimmst (You take)

Er/sie/es nimmt (He/She/it takes)

Wir nehmen (We take)

Ihr nehmt (You all take)

Sie nehmen (You take)

Examples:

Ich nehme den Zug. (I'm taking the train).

Nimmst du Zucker im Kaffee? (Do you take sugar in coffee?)

Er nimmt viele Vitamine. (He takes lots of vitamins).

Use "nehmen" to discuss taking and obtaining things.

"Geben" - To Give

"Geben" meaning "to give" is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich gebe (I give)

Du gibst (You give)

Er/sie/es gibt (He/She/it gives)

Wir geben (We give)

Ihr gebt (You all give)

Sie geben (You give)

Examples:

Ich gebe dir ein Geschenk. (I'm giving you a gift).

Gibst du mir einen Kuss? (Will you give me a kiss?)

Er gibt Geld für wohltätige Zwecke. (He gives money to charity).

Use "geben" when discussing giving, gifting, and providing things.

"Sehen" - To See

"Sehen" meaning "to see" is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich sehe (I see)

Du siehst (You see)

Er/sie/es sieht (He/She/it sees)

Wir sehen (We see)

Ihr seht (You all see)

Sie sehen (You see)

Examples:

Ich sehe meinen Freund. (I see my friend).

Siehst du den Vogel dort? (Do you see the bird there?)

Er sieht ohne Brille schlecht. (He can't see well without his glasses).

Use "sehen" to discuss seeing and observing things.

"Treffen" - To Meet

"Treffen" means "to meet" and is irregular in German.

Present tense conjugation:

Ich treffe (I meet)

Du triffst (You meet)

Er/sie/es trifft (He/She/it meets)

Wir treffen (We meet)

Ihr trefft (You all meet)

Sie treffen (You meet)

Examples:

Ich treffe meine Freunde abends. (I meet my friends in the evening).

Triffst du Maria heute? (Are you meeting Maria today?)

Er trifft seine Entscheidung. (He makes his decision).

Use "treffen" to discuss meeting up with people and making decisions.

Tips for Conjugating Irregular Verbs

Here are some tips to help memorize and properly conjugate irregular verbs:

• Learn verbs together with subjects so you memorize the proper conjugation.
• Highlight or circle the irregular parts of the verb so they stand out.
• Study the verbs out loud and repeat examples sentences.
• Make flashcards with infinitives on one side and conjugated forms on the other.
• Look for patterns and similarities between verb conjugations.
• Use the verbs in context as much as possible - reading, writing, speaking, listening.
• Don't try to apply logic; just commit the forms to memory through repetition.
• Be patient with yourself - irregular verbs take time and practice to master.

With regular practice, these common irregular verbs will start to feel natural over time. They are essential building blocks for understanding and using everyday German. Learn them well!