A1 foundations · Lesson 2

sein and haben in the present tense

Learn the forms for states, location, possession and common expressions.

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What you will learn

Choose the verb form that agrees with the subject.
Express a state or possession.

1. When do we use sein?

Here sein means to be. It can introduce a name, state or location. The verb is necessary in a German sentence such as Ich bin müde, even when another language can express the same meaning without an overt verb.

sein has irregular forms. Learn each one together with its pronoun. German also uses sein for age: Ich bin zwanzig Jahre alt means I am twenty years old.

2. When do we use haben?

Here haben means to have. Use it for possessions or something available to you: Ich habe ein Buch. The du form is hast, and the er/sie/es form is hat; neither contains b.

Common expressions include Hunger haben and Durst haben. Ich habe Durst means I am thirsty, not a word-for-word translation of have thirst. This lesson focuses on the present tense, not their use as auxiliary verbs for past tenses.

3. The subject determines the form

wir, plural sie and formal Sie use sind or haben. ihr uses seid or habt. Do not confuse these groups: ihr seid, but wir sind. In a simple declarative main clause the conjugated verb occupies position 2.

Rule summary

Subject	sein	haben
ich	bin	habe
du	bist	hast
er / sie / es	ist	hat
wir	sind	haben
ihr	seid	habt
sie (Plural)	sind	haben
Sie (höflich)	sind	haben

Examples

Ich bin zu Hause.

Meaning

I am at home.

Du hast ein Heft.

Meaning

You have a notebook.

Wir sind müde.

Meaning

We are tired.

Ihr habt Zeit.

Meaning

You have time. (More than one person, informal.)

Ich habe Hunger.

Meaning

I am hungry.

Ich habe Durst.

Meaning

I am thirsty.

Frau Neumann, Sie sind hier.

Meaning

Ms Neumann, you are here.

Lesson exercises

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