German present tense verbs (Präsens) are one of the most important grammar topics at A1 level. They allow you to talk about what you do every day, where you live, what you like, and what you are learning right now.

If you’re just starting to learn German, it’s helpful to first understand the basics of sentence structure and how verbs fit into simple beginner sentences.

In this guide, you’ll learn how German present tense verbs work, how to conjugate them, and how to use them correctly in simple sentences.

What Is the German Present Tense?

The German present tense (Präsens) is used to talk about:

• Things happening now
• Things you do regularly
• General facts

Examples:

• Ich lerne Deutsch. (I am learning German.)
• Ich arbeite in Berlin. (I work in Berlin.)
• Ich trinke Kaffee. (I drink coffee.)

📌 German does not have a separate continuous tense like English (“I am doing”). One form covers both meanings.

Regular German Verbs in the Present Tense (A1)

At A1 level, you focus mainly on regular verbs.

Step 1: Find the verb stem

Remove -en from the infinitive.

Infinitive	Stem
lernen (to learn)	lern-
arbeiten (to work)	arbeit-
wohnen (to live)	wohn-

---

Step 2: Add present tense endings

Pronoun	Ending	Example (lernen)
ich	-e	ich lerne
du	-st	du lernst
er / sie / es	-t	er lernt
wir	-en	wir lernen
ihr	-t	ihr lernt
sie / Sie	-en	sie lernen

Conjugation means changing the verb ending to match the subject, and this is a key skill you need to master at A1 level.

Example Sentences

• Ich lerne Deutsch.
• Du arbeitest in einer Schule.
• Wir wohnen in Deutschland.

Verb Position in German Sentences (VERY IMPORTANT)

In simple main clauses, the verb is always in position 2.

Verb position is one of the most important rules at A1 level and applies to all simple main clauses. German sentence structure at A1 level

Examples:

• Ich gehe in die Schule.
• Heute mache ich Sport.
• In Berlin wohnen viele Leute.

📌 Even when the sentence starts with time or place, the verb stays in position 2.

Common A1 Verbs You Should Learn First

Here are some essential A1 German verbs:

Verb	Meaning
lernen	to learn
wohnen	to live
arbeiten	to work
kommen	to come
gehen	to go
machen	to make/do
trinken	to drink
essen	to eat
sprechen	to speak
hören	to hear

Learning verbs together with related A1 German vocabulary by Topic helps you form meaningful sentences faster.

Using Verbs in Simple Daily Sentences

At A1 level, keep sentences short and clear.

Examples:

• Ich trinke Saft.
• Ich esse Pizza.
• Ich spreche Deutsch.
• Wir lernen zusammen.

These types of sentences are often used when talking about everyday routines in German

📌 Short sentences are correct and natural at this level.

Yes/No Questions in the Present Tense

To ask a yes/no question, put the verb first.

Examples:

• Lernst du Deutsch?
• Arbeitest du heute?
• Wohnst du in Nairobi?

Asking questions simple questions in German correctly is a key communication skill at beginner level

Negation with Verbs (nicht & kein)

Use nicht:

• To negate verbs or adjectives

Example:

• Ich lerne nicht Deutsch.

Use kein:

• To negate nouns

Example:

• Ich habe kein Auto.

Negation in German (A1) follows clear rules in German and becomes easier with regular practice.

Practice Section

✍️ Exercise 1: Conjugate the Verb

Conjugate lernen:

1. ich ______
2. du ______
3. wir ______

✍️ Exercise 2: Build Sentences

Use the words to make sentences:

1. Du / spielen / Fußball
2. wir / lernen / Deutsch

✍️ Exercise 3: Yes or No?

Translate into German:

1. Do you work here?
2. Do you drink coffee?

For more guided practice, it helps to work through structured beginner exercises in our A1 German Grammer Workbook.

Common Mistakes A1 Learners Make

🚫 Forgetting verb endings
🚫 Placing the verb at the end
🚫 Translating English grammar directly
🚫 Using long, complex sentences

📌 Focus on clear structure, not perfection.

How to Practice Present Tense Verbs Effectively

✔ Say sentences out loud
✔ Write short daily sentences
✔ Use verbs in real situations
✔ Practice with personal topics

What to Learn Next After This

Once you are comfortable with present tense verbs, continue with:

• German sentence structure (A1)
• Personal pronouns in German
• Asking questions in German (A1)

These topics build directly on verb conjugation.

If you want a complete overview of beginner German, start with our main A1 guide and build your skills step by step.