German Gerund: How German Expresses -ing Forms
Introduction: Does German Have a Gerund?
If you searched for a German gerund, the first thing to know is that German does not have a separate gerund form like English. English uses an -ing verb as a noun: Swimming is fun, I like reading, She is good at cooking. German usually expresses those meanings with a capitalized infinitive used as a noun: das Schwimmen, das Lesen, das Kochen.
So when learners talk about the gerund in German, they usually mean one of three German structures: das + infinitive for an activity as a noun, beim + infinitive noun for “while doing,” and zum + infinitive noun for “for doing.” German also has an -end present participle, but that is not the same thing as an English gerund.
Quick Answer: English -ing Forms in German
The fastest way to choose the right German equivalent is to ask what the English -ing form is doing in the sentence.
| English -ing Meaning | German Pattern | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Activity as a noun | das + infinitive | Das Lesen hilft mir. Reading helps me. |
| While doing something | beim + infinitive noun | Beim Lesen trinke ich Tee. While reading, I drink tea. |
| Purpose: for doing something | zum + infinitive noun | Ich brauche Ruhe zum Lernen. I need quiet for studying. |
| Object after verbs like like/love | das + infinitive or a plain infinitive phrase | Ich liebe das Reisen. I love traveling. |
| Adjective: a sleeping child | present participle with -end | das schlafende Kind the sleeping child |
Formation: Das + Infinitive
The closest German equivalent of an English gerund is the substantivized infinitive (substantivierter Infinitiv). Take the infinitive verb, capitalize it, and treat it as a neuter noun with das.
| Infinitive Verb | German Gerund Equivalent | English Gerund |
|---|---|---|
| schwimmen (to swim) | das Schwimmen | swimming |
| lesen (to read) | das Lesen | reading |
| kochen (to cook) | das Kochen | cooking |
| tanzen (to dance) | das Tanzen | dancing |
| arbeiten (to work) | das Arbeiten | working |
| wandern (to hike) | das Wandern | hiking |
Rules to remember:
- Use the infinitive form of the verb.
- Capitalize it because it is now a noun.
- Use the neuter article das.
- Use normal noun case endings after prepositions: beim Lesen, zum Lernen, mit dem Rauchen aufhören.
How to Use German Gerunds in Sentences
Although “German gerunds” is not a traditional German grammar category, the infinitive noun appears in the same places where English often uses a gerund.
1. As the Subject
Use the infinitive noun when an activity is the subject of the sentence.
- Das Schwimmen ist gesund.
Swimming is healthy. - Das Rauchen ist hier verboten.
Smoking is prohibited here. - Das Erlernen einer Sprache braucht Zeit.
Learning a language takes time.
2. As an Object
After verbs such as lieben, mögen, hassen, and bevorzugen, German can use an infinitive noun to name the activity.
- Ich liebe das Reisen.
I love traveling. - Sie hasst das Warten.
She hates waiting. - Wir mögen das gemeinsame Kochen.
We like cooking together.
German can also use an infinitive clause with zu, especially when the phrase is longer: Ich liebe es, neue Städte zu entdecken. (I love discovering new cities.)
3. After Beim: While Doing Something
Beim is a contraction of bei dem. It is one of the most common ways to translate English “while -ing.”
| German | English | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| beim Lesen | while reading | during the activity of reading |
| beim Kochen | while cooking | during cooking |
| beim Autofahren | while driving | during driving |
| beim Lernen | while studying | during study |
- Beim Autofahren sollte man nicht telefonieren.
While driving, you should not use the phone. - Ich höre Musik beim Kochen.
I listen to music while cooking.
4. After Zum: For Doing Something
Zum is a contraction of zu dem. Use it when the English gerund expresses purpose: “for learning,” “for relaxing,” “for cleaning.”
- Ich brauche Ruhe zum Lernen.
I need quiet for studying. - Dieses Messer ist gut zum Schneiden.
This knife is good for cutting. - Yoga hilft mir zum Entspannen.
Yoga helps me relax / is useful for relaxing.
German Gerund vs Present Participle
A common mistake is confusing the German infinitive noun with the German present participle. The present participle ends in -end, but it normally works like an adjective or adverb, not like an English gerund noun.
| German Form | Function | Example |
|---|---|---|
| das Schlafen | noun / gerund-like activity | Das Schlafen ist wichtig. Sleeping is important. |
| schlafend | participle / adjective | das schlafende Kind the sleeping child |
| das Lachen | noun / gerund-like activity | Das Lachen tut gut. Laughing feels good. |
| lachend | participle / adjective/adverb | Sie kam lachend herein. She came in laughing. |
For most English sentences like Reading is useful or I enjoy hiking, do not use -end. Use the infinitive noun: Das Lesen ist nützlich, Ich wandere gern, or Ich mag das Wandern.
Examples: English Gerunds Translated into German
| English | German | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Swimming is fun. | Schwimmen macht Spaß. | Plain infinitive as subject, often no article needed. |
| The swimming was difficult. | Das Schwimmen war schwierig. | Specific activity as a noun. |
| I like reading. | Ich lese gern. | German often prefers a verb + gern. |
| I like reading novels. | Ich lese gern Romane. | Natural German uses the finite verb. |
| While reading, I take notes. | Beim Lesen mache ich Notizen. | beim translates “while -ing.” |
| This app is for learning German. | Diese App ist zum Deutschlernen. | zum expresses purpose. |
| Learning German takes patience. | Deutschlernen braucht Geduld. | Compound infinitive noun is common. |
| Stop smoking. | Hör mit dem Rauchen auf. | After mit, use dative: dem Rauchen. |
When German Avoids the Gerund Equivalent
German does not always translate English -ing with das + infinitive. Sometimes a normal verb sounds more natural.
- English: I enjoy hiking.
Natural German: Ich wandere gern.
More literal: Ich mag das Wandern. - English: Talking to you is fun.
Natural German: Es macht Spaß, mit dir zu reden.
More noun-like: Das Reden mit dir macht Spaß. - English: She is learning by listening.
Natural German: Sie lernt durch Zuhören. or Sie lernt, indem sie zuhört.
This is why a strong answer to “how do German gerunds work?” is partly grammatical and partly stylistic: German has the forms, but it does not use them everywhere English uses -ing.
Common Mistakes with Gerunds in German
1. Inventing an English-Style -ing Form
- Wrong: Schwimming ist gesund.
- Correct: Schwimmen ist gesund. / Das Schwimmen ist gesund.
2. Using -end as a Noun
- Wrong: Schwimmend ist gesund.
- Correct: Schwimmen ist gesund.
Schwimmend means “swimming” only as a participle, as in ein schwimmender Hund (a swimming dog).
3. Forgetting Capitalization
- Wrong: Ich mag das lesen.
- Correct: Ich mag das Lesen.
4. Using the Wrong Article
- Wrong: Die Schwimmen ist gesund.
- Correct: Das Schwimmen ist gesund.
Substantivized infinitives are neuter: das Lesen, das Lernen, das Reisen.
5. Translating Every English -ing Form Literally
English uses -ing in many different jobs. German chooses between a noun, a normal verb, a zu-infinitive, a participle, or a prepositional phrase. Always translate the function, not just the ending.
Practice: Choose the Best German Equivalent
- Reading is relaxing.
Show answer
Lesen ist entspannend. or Das Lesen ist entspannend. - While cooking, she listens to music.
Show answer
Beim Kochen hört sie Musik. - This book is for learning German.
Show answer
Dieses Buch ist zum Deutschlernen. - The sleeping child is quiet.
Show answer
Das schlafende Kind ist ruhig. This uses the present participle, not an infinitive noun. - Stop complaining.
Show answer
Hör mit dem Beschweren auf. or more naturally Hör auf, dich zu beschweren.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a gerund in German?
Not as a separate verb form. The closest equivalent to the English gerund in German is usually a capitalized infinitive used as a neuter noun: das Lesen (reading), das Schwimmen (swimming), das Lernen (learning).
How do you form the German gerund equivalent?
Use the infinitive verb as a noun: capitalize it and use neuter das when an article is needed. For example, lesen becomes das Lesen, and kochen becomes das Kochen.
What is the difference between beim and zum with German gerunds?
Beim means “while doing” or “during the act of doing”: beim Lesen (while reading). Zum means “for doing” or purpose: zum Lernen (for studying), zum Schneiden (for cutting).
Is the German -end form a gerund?
No. The -end form is the German present participle. It usually acts like an adjective or adverb: das schlafende Kind (the sleeping child), lachend (laughing). For a noun like “sleeping is important,” use das Schlafen.
Can you use das + infinitive for every English -ing word?
No. Sometimes German prefers a normal verb or a zu-infinitive clause. I like reading is often more naturally Ich lese gern than Ich mag das Lesen. The infinitive noun is correct, but it is not always the most natural choice.