Before you start
Meet schimpfen
Read how the verb is used, then write your own 10 sentences with it.
All 4 meanings
- (intransitive) to tell off, to scold, to yell at [with mit (+ dative) ‘someone’]
- (intransitive) to complain, to grouse, to bitch, to curse [with über (+ accusative) or auf (+ accusative) ‘about someone/something’]
- (transitive, slightly derogatory) to call [with accusative ‘someone’ and accusative ‘an idiot or other derogatory term or name’]
- (transitive, accusative reflexive, slightly derogatory) to call oneself [with nominative or accusative ‘something considered derogatory’]
Forms
How schimpfen changes
| Pronoun | Präsens | Präteritum |
|---|---|---|
| ich | schimpfe | schimpfte |
| du | schimpfst | schimpftest |
| er/sie/es | schimpft | schimpfte |
| wir | schimpfen | schimpften |
| ihr | schimpft | schimpftet |
| Sie | schimpfen | schimpften |
Partizip II geschimpft · Perfekt with haben
Three examples
- 1Der Vater schimpft oft über das Wetter.The father often grumbles about the weather.Present tense, main clause
- 2Sie hat mit ihrem Bruder geschimpft.She scolded her brother.Perfekt with haben
- 3Er bleibt ruhig, wenn der Lehrer schimpft.He stays calm when the teacher scolds.Verb at the end after wenn