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German Adjectives/Adverbs 2
German Past Participles Used as Adjectives and Adverbs

PARTICIPLES: PART 1 | PART 2 | PART 3
Past Participles Used as Adjectives and Adverbs


Past Participles as Adjectives
Examples of past participles used as ADJECTIVES.

  • Das ist ein geborgter Computer.
    That's a borrowed computer.

  • Sie trat dem frisch gegründeten Fanclub bei.
    She joined the newly founded fan club.

  • Haben Sie geschnittenes Brot?
    Do you have sliced bread?

Some German sentences with past participle adjective phrases require a relative clause or an appositive phrase in English:

  • Der fast tot geglaubte Volkswagen kam wieder ins Laufen.
    The Volkswagen, (which was) believed almost dead, came back into popularity.

  • Der mit spektalulären Actionszenen versehene Film war ein großer Erfolg.
    The film, filled with spectacular action scenes, was a big success.


Past Participles as Adverbs
Examples of past participles used as ADVERBS.

  • Die Hütte lag geschützt im Tal.
    The cabin lay protected in the valley.

  • Er schaute gelangweilt zum Fenster hinaus.
    He looked out the window with boredom. (boredly)

  • Wir müssen stets gepflegt auftreten.
    We always have to appear well-groomed.

Past-participle adverbs and adjectives are treated just as any other adjective or adverb in German.

NEXT > Present Participles as adjectives/adverbs


Also see: Introduction

MORE > Adjective Endings: Lesson 5 and Adjective Endings.

DEFINITIONS > Grammar Glossary

BACK > Introduction
NEXT > Present Participles as adjectives/adverbs


Related Pages

German Grammar
A grammar guide for all aspects of German grammar.

German Verbs
Our contents page for all aspects of German verbs.

Grammar Glossary
What is an adjective, a preposition, or a participle? Answers in plain English.

Adjective Endings
Part 1 of a two-part article on adjective endings in German.

Lesson 5: Adjectives and Colors
Lesson 5 of German for Beginners is an introduction to adjectives.


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