Vergangenheit
/fɛɐ̯ˈɡaŋənhaɪ̯t/feminine
The English phrase "past tense" can be translated into German as Vergangenheit or Präteritum.
Meaning: grammatical form (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Vergangenheit | /fɛɐ̯ˈɡaŋənhaɪ̯t/ | feminine |
| Präteritum | [pʁɛˈteːʁitʊm] (narrow) | neuter, preterite |
In a linguistic context, Präteritum refers specifically to the preterite, which is the simple past tense grammatical form.
Which one should you use?
While Vergangenheit is a broad term for the past, Präteritum refers specifically to the simple past tense (the grammatical form). When discussing German grammar, speakers often distinguish between the Präteritum (simple past) and the Perfekt (present perfect), the latter of which is the most common way to express the past in spoken German.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛɐ̯ˈɡaŋənhaɪ̯t/
Did you know?
- Even in casual speech where the Perfekt is preferred, German speakers almost always use the Präteritum for the verbs sein (to be) and haben (to have).
- If you use the Präteritum too much in a casual chat, you might sound like a character from a 19th-century novel rather than a modern person.
- The word Vergangenheit shares the same root as the verb vergehen, which can mean 'to pass' but also 'to perish' or 'to fade away'.
Examples in context
- Lesen Sie den Text durch und schreiben Sie alle Verben der Vergangenheit heraus!Read through the text and write out all those verbs which are in the past tense.Tatoeba #4830210 by al_ex_an_der, translation #9139984 by sundown
- Ich ging gestern ins Kino.I went to the cinema yesterday.
- Er besuchte letztes Jahr Deutschland.He visited Germany last year.
- Ich habe gestern Deutsch gelernt.I learned German yesterday.
- Wir sind letzte Woche nach Berlin geflogen.We flew to Berlin last week.
- Das Buch wurde gestern von mir gelesen.The book was read by me yesterday.
- Der Brief wurde letzte Woche verschickt.The letter was sent last week.
- Wir müssen die Verben in der Vergangenheit lernen.We must learn the verbs in the past tense.
Example conversation
Two students are discussing their German homework in a cafe.
- JuliaJulian, verstehst du diese Grammatik?Julian, do you understand this grammar?
- JulianNein, die Verwendung der Vergangenheit ist schwierig.No, the use of the past tense is difficult.
- JuliaIch kann dir bei der Vergangenheit helfen.I can help you with the past tense.
- JulianDas wäre sehr nett von dir, Julia.That would be very kind of you, Julia.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “past tense” translations and entries Vergangenheit, Präteritum, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
