Table of Contents
Introduction
German can be tough, especially when it comes to verbs and their conjugations. One of those verbs is “nehmen” which means “to take”. Master the conjugation of “nehmen” and you’ll be communicating like a pro in German. In this post we’ll go through all the conjugations of “nehmen” and its different tenses. By the end you’ll know “nehmen” inside out and how to use it.
What is “Nehmen”
1: How do you say "Good Morning" in German?
“Nehmen” is a strong verb in German which means it changes the vowel in some of its conjugations. It’s used in both spoken and written German so it’s a verb you need to learn if you want to be good in German.
“Nehmen” can be used in many contexts, taking an object, accepting something or even making a choice. It’s so versatile it’s a everyday conversation verb.
Present Tense Conjugation
In the present tense “nehmen” is conjugated like this:
- ich (I): nehme
- du (you, singular): nimmst
- er/sie/es (he/she/it): nimmt
- wir (we): nehmen
- ihr (you, plural): nehmt
- sie/Sie (they/you, formal): nehmen
Examples
- Ich nehme das Buch. (I take the book.)
- Du nimmst den Stift. (You take the pen.)
- Er nimmt einen Kaffee. (He takes a coffee.)
Now you know how to conjugate “nehmen” in the present tense. That’s a big part of your German vocabulary.
Past Tense Conjugation (Simple Past)
The simple past tense, or Präteritum, of “nehmen” is used in written German, like in literature or formal contexts. The conjugation is:
- ich (I): nahm
- du (you, singular): nahmst
- er/sie/es (he/she/it): nahm
- wir (we): nahmen
- ihr (you, plural): nahmt
- sie/Sie (they/you, formal): nahmen
Examples
- Ich nahm das Angebot an. (I accepted the offer.)
- Sie nahm den Bus zur Arbeit. (She took the bus to work.)
- Wir nahmen an der Diskussion teil. (We participated in the discussion.)
Using the simple past is important for telling stories about things that have happened, to give your speech or writing a chronological order.
Perfect Tense Conjugation
The perfect tense, or Perfekt, is used in spoken German to describe past events. The verb “nehmen” is conjugated with the auxiliary verb “haben” (to have). The structure is:
The past participle of “nehmen” is “genommen”.
Examples
- Ich habe das Buch genommen. (I have taken the book.)
- Er hat den Preis genommen. (He has taken the prize.)
- Wir haben viele Bilder genommen. (We have taken many.)
The perfect tense is used for things that are relevant to now, so it’s used often in everyday conversation.
Future Tense Conjugation
The future tense in German is formed with the auxiliary verb “werden” (to become) and the infinitive “nehmen”. Here’s the conjugation:
- ich (I): werde nehmen
- du (you, singular): wirst nehmen
- er/sie/es (he/she/it): wird nehmen
- wir (we): werden nehmen
- ihr (you, plural): werdet nehmen
- sie/Sie (they/you, formal): werden nehmen
Examples
- Ich werde das Angebot nehmen. (I will take the offer.)
- Wir werden morgen reisen. (We will travel tomorrow.)
- Sie werden das Problem lösen. (They will solve the problem.)
Using the future tense helps you talk about what’s to come.
Conditional & Subjunctive Forms of “Nehmen”
The conditional mood in German is used for hypothetical situations. The conjugation of “nehmen” in the conditional is with “würde” (would) and the infinitive “nehmen”.
Examples
- Ich würde das Buch nehmen, wenn ich Zeit hätte. (I would take the book if I had time.)
- Sie würden helfen, wenn sie könnten. (They would help if they could.)
The subjunctive mood is used for wishes, desires or unreal situations.
“Nehmen” with Modal Verbs
“Nehmen” can also be used with modal verbs which express necessity, ability, permission or possibility. The structure is the modal verb followed by “nehmen” in the infinitive.
Examples
- Ich kann das Angebot nehmen. (I can take the offer.)
- Du musst das Formular nehmen. (You must take the form.)
- Wir dürfen das Auto nehmen. (We are allowed to take the car.)
Knowing how “nehmen” works with modal verbs will help you with your conversation and give you more expression.
Nehmen in Passive Voice
In German the passive voice is used to emphasize the action not the subject performing the action. The verb “nehmen” can be put into the passive voice with the auxiliary verb “werden” and the past participle “genommen”.
Examples
- Das Angebot wird genommen. (The offer is being taken.)
- Die Papiere werden genommen. (The documents are being taken.)
The passive voice is useful for formal writing and helps you to focus on the action itself rather than who’s performing it.
Phrases and Idioms with “Nehmen”
The verb “nehmen” is part of many common phrases and idioms. Here are a few:
- Etwas in die Hand nehmen. (To take something into one’s hands, meaning to take control of a situation.)
- Das Leben nehmen, wie es kommt. (To take life as it comes, meaning to accept things as they are.)
- Sich etwas zu Herzen nehmen. (To take something to heart, meaning to take something seriously or personally.)
Using these idioms in conversation can make your speech sound more natural and fluent.
Conclusion
Learning the German verb “nehmen” and its conjugation is a big step to becoming fluent in the language. From its present tense forms to its uses in different situations “nehmen” is a very useful verb that will help you a lot in communication.
If you want to go deeper in the German language and improve your skills, enroll in the German language course of Entri. With expert teachers and complete curriculum you will be on your way to mastering the language. Check it out!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the importance of the verb "nehmen" in the German language?
The verb “nehmen,” meaning “to take,” is an essential part of everyday communication in German. It appears in various contexts, from taking objects to accepting offers or making decisions. Understanding how to conjugate and use “nehmen” allows learners to express a wide range of actions and intentions, making it a crucial verb for fluency.
How do I conjugate "nehmen" in the present tense?
In the present tense, “nehmen” is conjugated as follows:
- ich nehme (I take)
- du nimmst (you take)
- er/sie/es nimmt (he/she/it takes)
- wir nehmen (we take)
- ihr nehmt (you, plural, take)
- sie/Sie nehmen (they/you, formal, take)
This conjugation is vital for discussing current actions and is commonly used in daily conversations.
What is the difference between the simple past and the perfect tense for "nehmen"?
The simple past (Präteritum) and the perfect tense (Perfekt) serve different purposes in German. The simple past is often used in written contexts and has the following conjugations:
- ich nahm (I took)
- du nahmst (you took)
- er/sie/es nahm (he/she/it took)
- wir nahmen (we took)
- ihr nahmt (you, plural, took)
- sie/Sie nahmen (they/you, formal, took)
In contrast, the perfect tense is more common in spoken German and is constructed using the auxiliary verb “haben” and the past participle “genommen.” For example:
- Ich habe das Buch genommen. (I have taken the book.)
Understanding both tenses enhances your ability to narrate past events in different contexts.
Can "nehmen" be used with modal verbs? If so, how?
Yes, “nehmen” can be used with modal verbs to express necessity, ability, permission, or possibility. The structure typically involves the modal verb followed by “nehmen” in its infinitive form. For example:
- Ich kann das Angebot nehmen. (I can take the offer.)
- Du musst das Formular nehmen. (You must take the form.)
- Wir dürfen das Auto nehmen. (We are allowed to take the car.)
This combination allows for more nuanced expression of actions and intentions.
How is the future tense formed with "nehmen"?
The future tense in German is formed using the auxiliary verb “werden” (to become) followed by the infinitive “nehmen.” The conjugation is as follows:
- ich werde nehmen (I will take)
- du wirst nehmen (you will take)
- er/sie/es wird nehmen (he/she/it will take)
- wir werden nehmen (we will take)
- ihr werdet nehmen (you, plural, will take)
- sie/Sie werden nehmen (they/you, formal, will take)
This structure is essential for discussing future plans or intentions.
What are some common phrases and idioms that use "nehmen"?
“Nehmen” appears in various idiomatic expressions and phrases in German. Here are a few examples:
- Etwas in die Hand nehmen. (To take something into one’s hands, meaning to take control of a situation.)
- Das Leben nehmen, wie es kommt. (To take life as it comes, meaning to accept things as they are.)
- Sich etwas zu Herzen nehmen. (To take something to heart, meaning to take something seriously or personally.)
Incorporating these idioms into your speech can enhance your fluency and sound more natural.
How do I use "nehmen" in the passive voice?
In German, the passive voice focuses on the action rather than the subject performing it. The verb “nehmen” can be transformed into the passive voice using the auxiliary verb “werden” and the past participle “genommen.” For example:
- Das Angebot wird genommen. (The offer is being taken.)
- Die Papiere werden genommen. (The documents are being taken.)
This structure is frequently used in formal writing and helps emphasize actions.
What are the conditional and subjunctive forms of "nehmen"?
The conditional mood expresses hypothetical situations and is formed with “würde” (would) followed by the infinitive “nehmen.” For example:
- Ich würde das Buch nehmen, wenn ich Zeit hätte. (I would take the book if I had time.)
The subjunctive mood is useful for expressing wishes or unreal situations, allowing for more nuanced communication.
Why is it important to practice the conjugation of "nehmen" regularly?
Regular practice of the conjugation of “nehmen” helps reinforce memory and understanding of its various forms and uses. Given its frequency in everyday speech, mastering “nehmen” allows learners to express themselves more confidently and fluently in a variety of contexts. Consistent practice also aids in recognizing the verb in different tenses during conversations or written texts.
How can I improve my understanding of "nehmen" and other German verbs?
Improving your understanding of “nehmen” and other German verbs involves consistent practice and exposure to the language. Here are some effective strategies:
- Enroll in a German language course: Consider taking a structured course that focuses on grammar, vocabulary, and speaking skills.
- Practice speaking: Engage in conversation with native speakers or language exchange partners.
- Use language learning apps: Utilize apps that offer exercises on verb conjugation and practical usage.
- Read and listen to German media: Immerse yourself in German books, podcasts, or videos to see and hear the language in context.
By employing these methods, you will enhance your grasp of “nehmen” and other essential verbs, ultimately improving your overall proficiency in German.
