Introduction to the Verb "Sein" in the Past Tense
The verb **sein** (to be) is an essential verb in the German language. In this lesson, we’ll focus on its **conjugation in the past tense** (preterite or simple past). The past tense of "sein" is often used in storytelling, reporting, and writing. Here are the conjugations of "sein" in the past tense:
Conjugation of "Sein" in the Past Tense
| Person |
Conjugation |
English |
| ich |
war |
I was |
| du |
warst |
you were |
| er/sie/es |
war |
he/she/it was |
| wir |
waren |
we were |
| ihr |
wart |
you (plural) were |
| sie/Sie |
waren |
they/you (formal) were |
Examples of "Sein" in the Past Tense
- Ich war gestern im Kino. (I was at the cinema yesterday.)
- Du warst sehr müde nach der Arbeit. (You were very tired after work.)
- Er war früher Lehrer. (He was a teacher before.)
- Wir waren im Urlaub in Spanien. (We were on vacation in Spain.)
- Ihr wart sehr fleißig in der Schule. (You were very diligent in school.)
- Sie waren letzte Woche krank. (They were sick last week.)
Additional Examples
Here are a few more examples to practice using "sein" in the past tense:
- Die Party war sehr lustig. (The party was very fun.)
- Ihr wart nicht zu Hause, als ich angerufen habe. (You weren't home when I called.)
- Wir waren gestern zusammen im Restaurant. (We were together at the restaurant yesterday.)
- Sie waren früher Nachbarn. (They were neighbors before.)