The German verb "erklären" means "to explain" in English. It is a regular verb. Below you'll find the complete conjugation tables for "erklären" across all 7 tenses. New to German verbs? Start with the German verb guide.
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How to Conjugate "erklären" in the Present Tense
Präsens Actions happening now or regularly| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | erkläre |
| du | you (informal) | erklärst |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | erklärt |
| wir | we | erklären |
| ihr | you all (informal) | erklärt |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | erklären |
Er erklärt den Weg zum Museum.
He explains the way to the museum.
How to Conjugate "erklären" in the Simple Past Tense
Präteritum Completed actions in the past (written/formal)| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | erklärte |
| du | you (informal) | erklärtest |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | erklärte |
| wir | we | erklärten |
| ihr | you all (informal) | erklärtet |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | erklärten |
Er erklärte den Weg zum Hotel.
He explained the way to the hotel.
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Perfekt Completed actions (spoken German)| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | habe erklärt |
| du | you (informal) | hast erklärt |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | hat erklärt |
| wir | we | haben erklärt |
| ihr | you all (informal) | habt erklärt |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | haben erklärt |
Sie hat die Regel erklärt.
She has explained the rule.
How to Conjugate "erklären" in the Past Perfect Tense
Plusquamperfekt Actions completed before another past action| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | hatte erklärt |
| du | you (informal) | hattest erklärt |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | hatte erklärt |
| wir | we | hatten erklärt |
| ihr | you all (informal) | hattet erklärt |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | hatten erklärt |
Er hatte die Regel erklärt.
He had explained the rule.
How to Conjugate "erklären" in the Future Tense
Futur I Actions that will happen| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | werde erklären |
| du | you (informal) | wirst erklären |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | wird erklären |
| wir | we | werden erklären |
| ihr | you all (informal) | werdet erklären |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | werden erklären |
Er wird den Plan erklären.
He will explain the plan.
How to Conjugate "erklären" in the Subjunctive I Tense
Konjunktiv I Indirect speech and formal requests| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | erkläre |
| du | you (informal) | erklärst |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | erkläre |
| wir | we | erklären |
| ihr | you all (informal) | erklärt |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | erklären |
Er sagt, er erkläre das.
He says he explains that.
How to Conjugate "erklären" in the Subjunctive II Tense
Konjunktiv II Hypothetical situations and polite requests| Person | English | Conjugation |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | erklärte |
| du | you (informal) | erklärtest |
| er/sie/es | he/she/it | erklärte |
| wir | we | erklärten |
| ihr | you all (informal) | erklärtet |
| sie/Sie | they/you (formal) | erklärten |
Er erklärte den Plan.
He would explain the plan.
Frequently Asked Questions About "erklären"
Is "erklären" regular or irregular in German?
"Erklären" is a regular German verb that follows standard conjugation patterns for its verb group.
What does "erklären" mean in English?
The German verb "erklären" means "to explain" in English.
How do you conjugate "erklären" in the present tense?
In the present tense (Präsens): ich → erkläre, du → erklärst, er/sie/es → erklärt, wir → erklären, ihr → erklärt, sie/Sie → erklären.
How many tenses does "erklären" have in German?
"Erklären" is conjugated across 7 tenses in German: Present, Simple Past, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future, Subjunctive I, Subjunctive II.
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