{"id":5339,"date":"2014-08-18T16:35:26","date_gmt":"2014-08-18T16:35:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/?p=5339"},"modified":"2014-08-11T16:36:22","modified_gmt":"2014-08-11T16:36:22","slug":"the-conjugation-of-the-german-verb-stehen","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/the-conjugation-of-the-german-verb-stehen\/","title":{"rendered":"The conjugation of the German verb \u201cstehen\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

The German verb \u201cstehen\u201d is commonly translated into English \u201cto be\u201d, \u201cto stand\u201d or \u201cto suit\u201d. Below you can find its conjugations for the following tenses:<\/p>\n

–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pr\u00e4sens \u2013 present
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pr\u00e4teritum \u2013 preterit (equals simple past)
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Futur I \u2013 future I
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Perfekt \u2013 perfect
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plusaquamperfekt \u2013 pluperfect (equals past perfect)
\n–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Futur II \u2013 future II<\/p>\n

But first, let me say a few words about the meaning of the verb \u201cstehen\u201d.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

The meaning of the German verb \u201cstehen\u201d and its English equivalents<\/strong><\/h1>\n

Many Germans have difficulty in accepting that \u201cstehen\u201d often simply means \u201cto be\u201d in English. For example, in English you say, \u201cThe vase is<\/strong> on the table.\u201d It is absolutely okay when you translate this as \u201cDie Vase ist auf dem Tisch\u201d. However, this is not nice German. Germans do not only give the location of a thing or person, but also how it is positioned. Is it standing (stehen) or lying (liegen)? We will have a closer look at the verb \u201cliegen\u201d (to lie) in another post. For now, lets focus on \u201cstehen\u201d.<\/p>\n

The correct German translation of \u201cThe vase is on the table\u201d is \u201cDie Vase steht auf dem Tisch\u201d. Germans tend to translate it literally into English \u201cThe vase is standing on the table.\u201d So whenever you wish to give the location of an object or subject mind how it is (usually) positioned. When it is (usually) in an upright position you use the verb \u201cstehen\u201d.<\/p>\n

Of course, it is possible that a vase overturns and falls off the table. In this case, it is no longer in an upright position. Hence, you have to use the verb \u201cliegen.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pr\u00e4sens \u2013 present tense<\/strong><\/h1>\n

In the present tense \u201cstehen\u201d is used to give a location and to say whether something suits someone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSingular<\/strong><\/td>\nPlural<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1st<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\nich stehe<\/td>\nwir stehen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2nd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ndu stehst \u2013 informal
\nSie stehen \u2013 formal<\/td>\n		ihr steht \u2013 informal
\nSie stehen \u2013 formal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3rd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ner\/sie\/es steht<\/td>\nsie stehen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

1. Die Blumen stehen auf dem Tisch.<\/span>
\n(The flowers are on the table.)<\/p>\n

2. Wo ist der Staubsauger?<\/span>
\n(Where is the vacuum cleaner?)<\/p>\n

3. Die Hose steht dir nicht.<\/span>
\n(The pants don\u2019t suit you.)<\/p>\n

4. Wir stehen an der Weltzeituhr.<\/span>
\n(We are at the world time clock.)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Imperativ \u2013 imperative<\/strong><\/h1>\n

In present situation you can give commands in order to make another person do something. In this case, \u201cstehen\u201d can only mean \u201cto stand\u201d.<\/p>\n

1. Stehe still!<\/span>
\n(Stand still!; 1st<\/sup> person singular; When \u201ctalking\u201d to yourself)<\/p>\n

2. Steh still!<\/span>
\n(Stand still!; 2nd<\/sup> person singular; informal)<\/p>\n

3. Stehen Sie still!<\/span>
\n(Stand still!; 2nd<\/sup> person singular and plural; formal)<\/p>\n

4. Stehen wir still!<\/span>
\n(Let\u2019s stand still!)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Pr\u00e4teritum \u2013 preterit (equals simple past)<\/strong><\/h1>\n

In the preterite tense \u201cstehen\u201d can mean \u201cto be\u201d, \u201cto stand\u201d and \u201cto suit\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSingular<\/strong><\/td>\nPlural<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1st<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\nich stand<\/td>\nwir standen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2nd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ndu standest \u2013 informal
\nSie standen \u2013 formal<\/td>\n		ihr standet \u2013 informal
\nSie standen \u2013 formal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3rd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ner\/sie\/es stand<\/td>\nsie standen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

1. Wir standen in der ersten Reihe.<\/span>
\n(We stood in the front row.)<\/p>\n

2. Doreen stand zitternd am Wasser.<\/span>
\n(Doreen stood by the water shivering.)<\/p>\n

3. Die Frisur stand ihr sehr gut.<\/span>
\n(The hairstyle suited her very well.)<\/p>\n

4. Stand das in dem Buch?<\/span>
\n(Was that written in the book?)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Futur I \u2013 future I<\/strong><\/h1>\n

In the future I tense \u201cstehen\u201d can mean \u201cto be\u201d, \u201cto stand\u201d and \u201cto suit\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSingular<\/strong><\/td>\nPlural<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1st<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\nich werde stehen<\/td>\nwir werden stehen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2nd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ndu wirst stehen \u2013 informal
\nSie werden stehen \u2013 formal<\/td>\n		ihr werdet stehen \u2013 informal
\nSie werden stehen \u2013 formal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3rd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ner\/sie\/es wird stehen<\/td>\nsie werden stehen<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

1. Ich werde am Bahnhof stehen.<\/span>
\n(I will be waiting at the station.)<\/p>\n

2. Das Kleid wird ihr nicht stehen?<\/span>
\n(The dress won\u2019t suit her.)<\/p>\n

3. Sie werden ab 15 Uhr am Ausgang stehen.<\/span>
\n(They will be waiting at the exit door from 3 p.m. onwards.)<\/p>\n

4. Sie werden alles stehen und liegen lassen, wenn \u2026<\/span>
\n(They will drop everything when \u2026)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Perfekt – perfect<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The perfect tense requires the pas participle \u201cgestanden\u201d, which can either derive from the present form of \u201cstehen\u201d (to be, to stand, to suit) or \u201cgestehen\u201d (to confess). That is, in the perfect tense you can use \u201cgestanden\u201d in another context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSingular<\/strong><\/td>\nPlural<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1st<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\nich habe gestanden<\/td>\nwir haben gegeben<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2nd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ndu hast gestanden \u2013 informal
\nSie haben gestanden \u2013 formal<\/td>\n		ihr habt gestanden \u2013 informal
\nSie haben gestanden \u2013 formal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3rd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ner\/sie\/es hat gestanden<\/td>\nsie haben gestanden<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

1. Er hat die Tat gestanden.<\/span>
\n(I confessed the crime.)<\/p>\n

2. Habt ihr an der richtigen Stelle gestanden?<\/span>
\n(Have you been at the right spot?)<\/p>\n

3. Zehn Jahre hat er f\u00fcr das Unternehmen seinen Mann gestanden.<\/span>
\n(For ten years he stood\u00a0his ground for the company.)<\/p>\n

4. Die Jacke hat ihm wirklich gut gestanden.<\/span>
\n(The jacket suited him very well.)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Plusquamperfekt \u2013 pluperfect (equals past perfect)<\/strong><\/h1>\n

The pluperfect also requires the past participle \u201cgestanden\u201d. Thus, \u201cgestanden\u201d means \u201cbeen\u201d, \u201cstood\u201d, \u201csuited\u201d and \u201cconfessed\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSingular<\/strong><\/td>\nPlural<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1st<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\nich hatte gestanden<\/td>\nwir hatten gestanden<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2nd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ndu hattest gestanden \u2013 informal
\nSie hatten gestanden \u2013 formal<\/td>\n		ihr hattet gestanden \u2013 informal
\nSie hatten gestanden \u2013 formal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3rd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ner\/sie\/es hatte gestanden<\/td>\nsie hatten gestanden<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

1. Ich hatte f\u00fcnf Meter neben dem Haus gestanden.
\n<\/span>(I had been standing five meters beside the house.)<\/p>\n

2. Das Auto hatte in Flammen gestanden.
\n<\/span>(The car had been in flames.)<\/p>\n

3. Der Dieb hatte die Tat sofort gestanden.
\n<\/span>(The thief had confessed the crime immediately.)<\/p>\n

4. Die Elektroger\u00e4te hatten im Regen gestanden. Jetzt sind sie alle kaputt.
\n<\/span>(The electric appliances had been left out in the rain. Now all of them are broken.)<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Futur II \u2013 future II<\/strong><\/h1>\n

In the future II \u201cgestanden\u201d can mean \u201cbeen\u201d, \u201cstood\u201d, \u201csuited\u201d and \u201cconfessed. However, this tense is rarely used.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\nSingular<\/strong><\/td>\nPlural<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
1st<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\nich werde gestanden haben<\/td>\nwir werden gestanden haben<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
2nd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ndu wirst gestanden haben \u2013 informal
\nSie werden gestanden haben \u2013 formal<\/td>\n		ihr werdet gestanden haben \u2013 informal
\nSie werden gestanden haben \u2013 formal<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
3rd<\/sup> person<\/strong><\/td>\ner\/sie\/es wird gestanden haben<\/td>\nsie werden gestanden haben<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

1. Bis zur n\u00e4chsten Verhandlung wird er die Tat gestanden haben.
\n<\/span>(He will have confessed the crime until the next hearing.)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The German verb \u201cstehen\u201d is commonly translated into English \u201cto be\u201d, \u201cto stand\u201d or \u201cto suit\u201d. Below you can find its conjugations for the following tenses: –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pr\u00e4sens \u2013 present –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Pr\u00e4teritum \u2013 preterit (equals simple past) –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Futur I \u2013 future I –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Perfekt \u2013 perfect –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Plusaquamperfekt \u2013 pluperfect (equals past perfect) –\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0…<\/p>\n

Continue Reading<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":54,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"content-type":""},"categories":[11971,8],"tags":[51,337687,165],"class_list":["post-5339","post","type-post","status-publish","hentry","category-grammar-language","category-language","tag-conjugation","tag-stehen","tag-verb"],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5339","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/54"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=5339"}],"version-history":[{"count":13,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5339\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":5352,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/5339\/revisions\/5352"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=5339"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=5339"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=5339"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}