performen
to perform
To give an artistic performance in public, such as performing a song, a dance, or a role.
EXAMPLE
Die Band performt heute Abend ihre neuesten Songs.
The band is performing its latest songs tonight.
performen
to perform
performen – performte – hat performt
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Meanings
performen
to perform
To achieve a certain level of performance or demonstrate an expected level of performance, especially in sports, at work, or in an exam.
EXAMPLE
Die junge Läuferin hat im Finale hervorragend performt.
The young runner performed excellently in the final.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry performen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Present
| ich | performe |
|---|---|
| du | performst |
| er/sie/es | performt |
| wir | performen |
| ihr | performt |
| sie | performen |
Simple past
| ich | performte |
|---|---|
| du | performtest |
| er/sie/es | performte |
| wir | performten |
| ihr | performtet |
| sie | performten |
Perfect
with haben
| ich | habe performt |
|---|---|
| du | hast performt |
| er/sie/es | hat performt |
| wir | haben performt |
| ihr | habt performt |
| sie | haben performt |
Commands
| du | perform! performe! |
|---|---|
| ihr | performt! |
| Sie | performen Sie! |
Past perfect
| ich | hatte performt |
|---|---|
| du | hattest performt |
| er/sie/es | hatte performt |
| wir | hatten performt |
| ihr | hattet performt |
| sie | hatten performt |
Future
| ich | werde performen |
|---|---|
| du | wirst performen |
| er/sie/es | wird performen |
| wir | werden performen |
| ihr | werdet performen |
| sie | werden performen |
Subjunctive I
| ich | performe |
|---|---|
| du | performest |
| er/sie/es | performe |
| wir | performen |
| ihr | performet |
| sie | performen |
Used for reported speech.
Subjunctive II
| ich | performte |
|---|---|
| du | performtest |
| er/sie/es | performte |
| wir | performten |
| ihr | performtet |
| sie | performten |
Used for wishes and “would”.
Other forms
| infinitive | performen |
|---|---|
| with zu | zu performen |
| present participle | performend |
| past participle | performt |
Usage tips
With and without an object
For an artistic performance, „performen“ (to perform) can take an accusative object naming the work being performed. Without an object, the performance itself or the people performing are often the focus.
EXAMPLE
Die Sängerin performte ihr neues Lied zum ersten Mal vor Publikum.
The singer performed her new song in front of an audience for the first time.
Am Samstag performen mehrere lokale Bands auf dem Stadtfest.
Several local bands are performing at the town festival on Saturday.
Evaluating performance
When evaluating performance, „performen“ (to perform) is often combined with „gut“ (well), „schlecht“ (poorly), or „stark“ (strongly). „unter Druck performen“ (to perform under pressure) describes performance in a difficult or stressful situation.
EXAMPLE
Unser Team hat auch unter Druck gut performt.
Our team performed well even under pressure.
Register and style
This usage is especially typical of corporate language and sports reports. In professional conversations, „performen“ (to perform) can sound like corporate jargon.
EXAMPLE
Im nächsten Quartal müssen wir als Abteilung besser performen.
As a department, we need to perform better next quarter.
In real life
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