Present and past participles as adjectives

In brief

German participles can describe a noun like adjectives. Partizip I presents an action in progress, usually performed by the noun: wartende Gäste are guests who are waiting. Partizip II often describes the result of a completed action affecting the noun: ein repariertes Fahrrad is a bicycle that has been repaired. With intransitive verbs of movement or change, Partizip II can instead describe the noun’s completed action, as in die angekommenen Gäste (the guests who have arrived).

Form

Partizip I: infinitive + d (warten → wartend). Partizip II: the verb’s past participle (reparieren → repariert; ankommen → angekommen). Before a noun, both take adjective endings: wartende Gäste, das reparierte Fahrrad.

Usage

• Use Partizip I for a person or thing currently doing something: die spielenden Kinder.
• Use Partizip II to describe a completed action or its result: die geöffnete Tür.
• Partizip II of a movement verb can mean that the subject has completed the movement: die angekommenen Gäste.

Examples

• Die wartenden Fahrgäste stehen an der Haltestelle. — The waiting passengers are standing at the bus stop.
• Der reparierte Computer funktioniert wieder. — The repaired computer is working again.
• Die gestern angekommenen Gäste frühstücken schon. — The guests who arrived yesterday are already having breakfast.

Common mistake

❌ Die verletzenden Spieler sitzen auf der Bank.

✅ Die verletzten Spieler sitzen auf der Bank.

If the players are injured, use Partizip II: verletzt. Verletzend describes someone who causes injury or hurt.

Remember

Ask whether the noun is doing the action or is described by its completed result. Partizip II can also describe a completed movement by the noun itself.