What is a Vokalwechsel (present tense)?

A1 German grammar — Grammar. Some verbs are **strong** in the present: the **stem vowel** changes in the **2nd person singular** (*du*) and **3rd per…

Open chapter: Verben mit Vokalwechsel

Rule explained

Some verbs are **strong** in the present: the **stem vowel** changes in the **2nd person singular** (*du*) and **3rd person singular** (*er / sie / es*). *ich*, *wir*, *ihr*, and *sie* (plural) usually keep the **infinitive stem vowel**. The vowel shift is **inside** the stem (*sehen* → *du **sieh**st*, *er **sieh**t*). Endings stay regular: *-st* for *du*, *-t* for *er/sie/es*, *-en* for *wir/sie*, etc. **Patterns** you meet early: - **e → ie**: *sehen*, *lesen* - **e → i**: *geben*, *nehmen*, *essen*, *sprechen*, *treffen*, *vergessen*, *helfen* - **a → ä**: *fahren*, *schlafen*, *fallen* - **au → äu**: *laufen* **There is no shortcut from meaning** — learn verbs by pattern and practise *du* / *er* forms aloud. **Plural *ihr*** usually uses the **same stem as the infinitive**: *ihr seht*, *ihr gebt*, *ihr fahrt* (no *ä* here).

Examples

Use these mini-pairs as templates:

• Ich sehe dich. Siehst du mich? — I see you. Do you see me?
• Er gibt mir das Buch. — He gives me the book.
• Sie fährt zur Arbeit. — She drives / goes to work.
• Wir essen zusammen. Isst du Vegetarier? — We're eating together. Are you eating vegetarian?

Common mistakes

Watch out for these learner errors:

• Don't apply *du*-stem to *ich*: always *ich **sehe***, never *ich siehe*.
• *Er siehest* is impossible — *-st* is only for *du*.
• Verbs with **-ieren** or many **weak** verbs have **no** vowel change in the present (*arbeiten* → *du arbeitest*).