Participle I as an adjective
Partizip I als Adjektiv
( + d) used as an attribute has active, simultaneous meaning: 'das lachende Kind' = the laughing child.
Structure
Infinitiv + d + Adjektivendung (das lachende Kind)
infinitive + d + adjective ending (das lachende Kind)
Details
- Part of Speech
- Participle
- Register
- Standard
Explanation
The Partizip I (present ) is formed by adding -d to the : lachen → lachend. Used as an attribute before a , it takes normal endings and has an active, simultaneous meaning - the action is happening at the same time.
- lachen → lachend → das lachende Kind - the laughing child (= the child that is laughing)
- weinen → weinend → ein weinendes Baby - a crying baby
- kochen → kochend → kochendes Wasser - boiling water
Example: Das lachende Kind rannte über den Spielplatz. - The laughing child ran across the playground.
Example: Sie warf einen fragenden Blick auf mich. - She gave me a questioning look.
The key contrast: is active (the does the action), whereas is usually passive/completed (something was done to the ).
Common mistake: Forgetting the ending. The must agree like any attributive adjective: ein lachendes Kind, mit lachenden Kindern - not the bare lachend.
About Participle I as an adjective
( + d) used as an attribute has active, simultaneous meaning: 'das lachende Kind' = the laughing child.
The present is formed by adding '-d' to the and takes normal endings. As an attribute it expresses an action happening at the same time and in the : 'die spielenden Kinder', 'ein lächelnder Mann'.
Das ( + d) als Attribut hat aktive, gleichzeitige Bedeutung und wird wie ein dekliniert: das lachende Kind.
Caution
Partizip I is active ('das kochende Wasser' = water that is boiling), unlike Partizip II which is usually passive/completed.