How should I learn the Partizip II of irregular verbs?

Probably the best way to learn the Partizipien II is to learn them together with the Infinitiv and the Präteritum. There is a certain rhythm about it. So reciting them will really help as the the rhythm will is a useful aid to recall. It is just like when you learned the irregular verbs in English. Do you remember sing - sang - sung or do - did - done.

Similarly, learn them as

trinken -- trank -- getrunken
essen -- ass -- gegessen
gehen -- ging -- gegangen

The Präteritum (in the middle) will come in useful later. So there is no harm learning it now.

The following are some common patterns of change. It may help to know the patterns too. However not all verbs change according to these patterns. There are many exceptions. And some do not change. 

Look at the following groups of Partizipien II. How does the Stamm change for each group of verbs? Click to see if you are right. 

Group B

sprechen	==> gesprochen
sterben	==> getorben
brechen	==> gebrochen

Pattern of change

Group C

trinken	==> getrunken
finden	==> gefunden
singen	==> gesungen

Pattern of change

Group D

schließen	==> gesschlossen
anziehen	==> angezogen
bieten	==> geboten

Pattern of change

Group E

schneiden	==> geschnitten
unterstreichen	==> unterstrichen

Pattern of change

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© Dr. Chan Wai Meng, 2000