Vergangenheit
/fɛɐ̯ˈɡaŋənhaɪ̯t/feminine
The English word 'past' (referring to a period of time) is translated into German as Vergangenheit.
Vergangenheit is used as a noun to describe a period of time that has already happened.
Meaning: period of time that has already happened (noun)
Which one should you use?
While Vergangenheit is the noun used for the abstract concept of the past, it is not used as an adverb to mean 'passed by'. Instead, you would use vorbei. Additionally, to express being beyond something in place, German uses nach or hinter.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As a feminine noun, Vergangenheit uses the articles die in the nominative and accusative cases and der in the genitive and dative cases. For example, when expressing the phrase 'in the past', German uses the feminine dative form in der Vergangenheit because the preposition in requires the dative case to indicate a state or location in time.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛɐ̯ˈɡaŋənhaɪ̯t/
Did you know?
- In German, you can describe a person as having a 'past' by saying they have eine Vergangenheit, but this often carries a heavy, slightly suspicious connotation of having a shady or complicated history.
- The root of Vergangenheit is the verb vergehen, which can mean 'to pass' but also 'to decay' or 'to perish'. This gives the German word for the past a subtle connotation of something that has faded away.
- The suffix -heit in Vergangenheit is used to turn an adjective into an abstract noun. It is a linguistic sibling to the English suffix -hood as seen in words like 'childhood' or 'neighborhood'.
Examples in context
- Ich bin deine Vergangenheit.I'm your past.This sentence uses Vergangenheit to mean a person's past.Tatoeba #2994687 by al_ex_an_der, translation #2148629 by jeedrek
- Du lebst in der Vergangenheit.You're living in the past.This sentence uses Vergangenheit to mean the time period of the past.Tatoeba #2671039 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2669465 by Hybrid
- Du lebst in der Vergangenheit!You're living in the past!Tatoeba #7261192 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #7235389 by Hybrid
- Die Vergangenheit ist ein wichtiger Bestandteil der Geschichtswissenschaft.The past is an essential component of historical science.
- In früheren Zeiten hatten Menschen weniger technologische Fortschritte.In the past, people had fewer technological advancements.
- Früher waren wir immer beste Freunde!We used to be best friends in the past!
- Das war damals eine wunderbare Zeit.That was a wonderful time back then.
- Die verflossene Woche war sehr ereignisreich.The past week was very eventful.
- 183 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are talking about their childhood memories.
- SarahIch denke oft an die Vergangenheit.I often think about the past.
- MaximilianDas ist schön, aber wir sind jetzt hier.That is nice, but we are here now.
- SarahStimmt, aber die Vergangenheit prägt uns.True, but the past shapes us.
- MaximilianDa hast du recht, Sarah.You are right about that, Sarah.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “past” translations and entries Vergangenheit, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
