Process Vs State Passive
German has two types of passive voice: Vorgangspassiv (Process Passive) using werden and Zustandspassiv (State Passive) using sein.
How It Works
The distinction between these two forms is crucial for accuracy in German.
1. Vorgangspassiv (Process Passive)
Formed with werden + Partizip II. It answers the question: Was geschieht? (What is happening?). It implies an ongoing action or a process, even if the person doing it isn't mentioned.
Example: Das Fenster wird geöffnet. (The window is being opened — someone is currently opening it).
2. Zustandspassiv (State Passive)
Formed with sein + Partizip II. It answers the question: In welchem Zustand ist das Subjekt? (In what state is the subject?). It describes the result of a completed action.
Example: Das Fenster ist geöffnet. (The window is open — the action of opening is finished).
3. Semantic Constraints
While almost any transitive verb can form a process passive, only resultative verbs (verbs that lead to a new state, like schließen, kochen, or reparieren) can form a state passive. Verbs like sehen (to see) or kennen (to know) do not result in a lasting physical state and thus rarely use the sein-passive.
Examples (6)
- Die Suppe wird gekocht.
The soup is being cooked.
Word by Word: The soup becomes cooked.
This is the process passive; the cooking is currently happening.
- Die Suppe ist gekocht.
The soup is cooked.
Word by Word: The soup is cooked.
This is the state passive; the cooking is finished and the soup is ready.
- Das Auto wird repariert.
The car is being repaired.
Word by Word: The car becomes repaired.
Focuses on the mechanic's work currently in progress.
- Das Auto ist repariert.
The car is repaired.
Word by Word: The car is repaired.
Focuses on the fact that the car is now functional again.
- Die Tür wurde geschlossen.
The door was closed (by someone).
Word by Word: The door became closed.
Simple Past process passive: describes the act of closing the door.
- Die Tür war geschlossen.
The door was closed (already).
Word by Word: The door was closed.
Simple Past state passive: describes the condition of the door in the past.
Common Mistakes
Using 'geworden' instead of 'worden' in the Perfect tense.
Das Haus ist renoviert geworden.Das Haus ist renoviert worden.In the process passive Perfect tense, the auxiliary 'werden' uses the shortened participle 'worden' to avoid double 'ge-' sounds.
Using 'werden' for a state because English uses 'is' for both.
Der Laden wird geschlossen (when meaning it's already shut).Der Laden ist geschlossen.English uses 'is' for both process and state. In German, 'wird geschlossen' describes the act of closing, as when someone is closing the shop right now.
Related Patterns
- Process Passive (werden)
This is the specific pattern for the process passive using 'werden'.
Level 3 - State Passive (sein)
This is the specific pattern for the state passive using 'sein'.
Level 3 - sein + Past ParticiplePresent Perfect with Sein
The state passive looks identical to the Perfect tense of intransitive verbs; understanding 'sein' as an auxiliary is helpful.
Level 2 - vonAgent in Passive (Von)
Used primarily with the process passive to identify who is performing the action.
Level 3 - Strong Verb Past Participle
Both passive forms require the Partizip II, which can be irregular for strong verbs.
Level 2
Words in This Pattern
Practice Process Vs State Passive in Bubblegum
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