Passiv vs Aktiv
When to Use
Aktiv emphasizes who does something (Der Koch kocht die Suppe). Passiv emphasizes the action/result (Die Suppe wird gekocht). Vorgangspassiv (werden + Part. II) describes a process; Zustandspassiv (sein + Part. II) describes a resulting state.
Comparison
| Passiv | Aktiv | |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Who does it (doer) | What happens (action) |
| Formation | Subject + verb | werden/sein + Partizip II |
| Agent (doer) | Subject | von + Dativ (optional) |
| Vorgangs- vs Zustands- | — | werden (process) vs sein (state) |
Examples
Correct
Die Suppe wird gekocht. (Vorgangspassiv)
Wrong
Die Suppe kocht. (Aktiv — different meaning)
Correct
Die Tür ist geöffnet. (Zustandspassiv)
Wrong
Die Tür wird geöffnet. (Vorgangspassiv)
Correct
Das Buch wurde von Goethe geschrieben.
Wrong
Goethe hat das Buch geschrieben.
Tips
Passive is common in formal/scientific German. In everyday speech, prefer Aktiv.
Quick test: 'ist geöffnet' = it's already open (state). 'wird geöffnet' = someone is opening it (process).
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