The past perfect tense in German

Understanding grammar is key to understanding a language.
Learn how to use The past perfect tense in German and many other tips and tricks with Wunderbla.
Test your German level for free today.

TEST YOUR GERMAN Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,6 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 7 million learners worldwide

The past perfect tense

When talking about the past, we use the past perfect (or “pluperfect”) tense to refer to a past event which happened before another past event.

Als Tim nach Hause kam, hatte Anna schon geduscht.

When Tim got home, Anna had already showered.

The past perfect is formed using: sein or haben in the simple past tense + past participle of the main verb:

ESSENessen en
ich hatte gegessen
du hattest gegessen
er/sie/es hatte gegessen
wir hatten gegessen
ihr hattet gegessen
sie/Sie hatten gegessen
KOMMENkommen en
ich war gekommen
du warst gekommen
er/sie/es war gekommen
wir waren gekommen
ihr wart gekommen
sie/Sie waren gekommen

Still facing difficulties with 'The past perfect tense'? Learn and enhance your German grammar through our online German course. Start with a free test and improve today!

TEST YOUR GERMAN

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online German lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my German. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Improve your German further and test Wunderbla, online German lessons.