[Grammar] Conjugating Irregular -en Verbs

[Diamat]

In the previous lesson, we learned how to conjugate regular -en verbs and a few irregular ones (sein and haben). Now, we'll be adding to our repertoire by tackling irregular -en verbs, two of which are strong verbs (sehen and lesen). Notice the pattern with which these two irregular verbs are conjugated, as marked in green. This similarity can be attributed to the common first vowel these two words share. But note that not all strong verbs with this first vowel follow this pattern, hence the name.

The word "arbeiten" is not considered a strong verb, since the irregularity is not irregular enough.

So how do you know what is an irregular verb and a regular one? Well, most verbs are regular. For those that aren't, you simply have to memorize the patterns and get used to them. By making sentences and using them over and over again, it will become second nature, much like it is to a native German speaker. One tip though, often you can tell which verb is irregular by checking with the English. If the verb is a strong verb in English too, then most likely it will be in German. For example, "see" and "read" are irregular in English too (see, saw, seen; read, read, read).

sehen
ich sehe
du siehst
er/sie/es sieht
wir sehen
ihr seht
sie/Sie sehen

lesen
ich lese
du liest
er/sie/es liest
wir lesen
ihr lest
sie/Sie lesen

arbeiten
ich arbeite
du arbeitest
er/sie/es arbeitet
wir arbeiten
ihr arbeitet
sie/Sie arbeiten

[Derpy Hooves]

So is heißen a regular verb?

[Diamat]

Yes.