The German verb "brauchen" means "to need" in English. It is a regular verb. Below you'll find the complete conjugation tables for "brauchen" across all 7 tenses. New to German verbs? Start with the German verb guide.
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How to Conjugate "brauchen" in the Present Tense
Präsens Actions happening now or regularly| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | brauche |
| du | you (informal) | brauchst |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | braucht |
| wir | we | brauchen |
| ihr | you all (informal) | braucht |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | brauchen |
Es braucht viel Wasser zum Wachsen.
It needs a lot of water to grow.
How to Conjugate "brauchen" in the Simple Past Tense
Präteritum Completed actions in the past (written/formal)| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | brauchte |
| du | you (informal) | brauchtest |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | brauchte |
| wir | we | brauchten |
| ihr | you all (informal) | brauchtet |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | brauchten |
Es brauchte viel Mut für diesen Schritt.
It needed much courage for this step.
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Perfekt Completed actions (spoken German)| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | habe gebraucht |
| du | you (informal) | hast gebraucht |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | hat gebraucht |
| wir | we | haben gebraucht |
| ihr | you all (informal) | habt gebraucht |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | haben gebraucht |
Er hat Geld gebraucht.
He needed money.
How to Conjugate "brauchen" in the Past Perfect Tense
Plusquamperfekt Actions completed before another past action| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | hatte gebraucht |
| du | you (informal) | hattest gebraucht |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | hatte gebraucht |
| wir | we | hatten gebraucht |
| ihr | you all (informal) | hattet gebraucht |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | hatten gebraucht |
Es hatte Ruhe gebraucht.
It had needed quiet.
How to Conjugate "brauchen" in the Future Tense
Futur I Actions that will happen| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | werde brauchen |
| du | you (informal) | wirst brauchen |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | wird brauchen |
| wir | we | werden brauchen |
| ihr | you all (informal) | werdet brauchen |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | werden brauchen |
Er wird ein Auto brauchen.
He will need a car.
How to Conjugate "brauchen" in the Subjunctive I Tense
Konjunktiv I Indirect speech and formal requests| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | brauche |
| du | you (informal) | brauchest |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | brauche |
| wir | we | brauchen |
| ihr | you all (informal) | brauchet |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | brauchen |
Er sagt, er brauche das Buch.
He says he needs the book.
How to Conjugate "brauchen" in the Subjunctive II Tense
Konjunktiv II Hypothetical situations and polite requests| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | brauchte |
| du | you (informal) | brauchtest |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | brauchte |
| wir | we | brauchten |
| ihr | you all (informal) | brauchtet |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | brauchten |
Er brauchte ein Auto.
He would need a car.
Frequently Asked Questions About "brauchen"
Is "brauchen" regular or irregular in German?
"Brauchen" is a regular German verb that follows standard conjugation patterns for its verb group.
What does "brauchen" mean in English?
The German verb "brauchen" means "to need" in English.
How do you conjugate "brauchen" in the present tense?
In the present tense (Präsens): ich → brauche, du → brauchst, er/sie/es → braucht, wir → brauchen, ihr → braucht, sie/Sie → brauchen.
How many tenses does "brauchen" have in German?
"Brauchen" is conjugated across 7 tenses in German: Present, Simple Past, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future, Subjunctive I, Subjunctive II.
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