treiben

to drive, to do (sports)

German Irregular

The German verb "treiben" means "to drive, to do (sports)" in English. It is an irregular verb. Below you'll find the complete conjugation tables for "treiben" across all 7 tenses. New to German verbs? Start with the German verb guide.

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Present Simple Past Present Perfect Past Perfect Future Subjunctive I Subjunctive II

How to Conjugate "treiben" in the Present Tense

Präsens Actions happening now or regularly

Person	English	Conjugation
ich	I	treibe
du	you (informal)	treibst
er/sie/es	he/she/it	treibt
wir	we	treiben
ihr	you all (informal)	treibt
sie/Sie	they/you (formal)	treiben

Er treibt das Vieh heim.

He drives the cattle home.

How to Conjugate "treiben" in the Simple Past Tense

Präteritum Completed actions in the past (written/formal)

Person	English	Conjugation
ich	I	trieb
du	you (informal)	triebst
er/sie/es	he/she/it	trieb
wir	we	trieben
ihr	you all (informal)	triebt
sie/Sie	they/you (formal)	trieben

Er trieb die Kühe auf die Weide.

He drove the cows to the pasture.

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How to Conjugate "treiben" in the Present Perfect Tense

Perfekt Completed actions (spoken German)

Person	English	Conjugation
ich	I	habe getrieben
du	you (informal)	hast getrieben
er/sie/es	he/she/it	hat getrieben
wir	we	haben getrieben
ihr	you all (informal)	habt getrieben
sie/Sie	they/you (formal)	haben getrieben

Er hat es zu weit getrieben.

He has taken it too far.

How to Conjugate "treiben" in the Past Perfect Tense

Plusquamperfekt Actions completed before another past action

Person	English	Conjugation
ich	I	hatte getrieben
du	you (informal)	hattest getrieben
er/sie/es	he/she/it	hatte getrieben
wir	we	hatten getrieben
ihr	you all (informal)	hattet getrieben
sie/Sie	they/you (formal)	hatten getrieben

Er hatte Yoga getrieben.

He had done yoga.

How to Conjugate "treiben" in the Future Tense

Futur I Actions that will happen

Person	English	Conjugation
ich	I	werde treiben
du	you (informal)	wirst treiben
er/sie/es	he/she/it	wird treiben
wir	we	werden treiben
ihr	you all (informal)	werdet treiben
sie/Sie	they/you (formal)	werden treiben

Er wird Yoga treiben.

He will do yoga.

How to Conjugate "treiben" in the Subjunctive I Tense

Konjunktiv I Indirect speech and formal requests

Person	English	Conjugation
ich	I	treibe
du	you (informal)	treibest
er/sie/es	he/she/it	treibe
wir	we	treiben
ihr	you all (informal)	treibet
sie/Sie	they/you (formal)	treiben

Er treibe den Handel.

He may conduct the trade.

How to Conjugate "treiben" in the Subjunctive II Tense

Konjunktiv II Hypothetical situations and polite requests

Person	English	Conjugation
ich	I	triebe
du	you (informal)	triebest
er/sie/es	he/she/it	triebe
wir	we	trieben
ihr	you all (informal)	triebet
sie/Sie	they/you (formal)	trieben

Er triebe gern mehr Fitness.

He would like to do more fitness.

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Frequently Asked Questions About "treiben"

Is "treiben" regular or irregular in German?

"Treiben" is an irregular German verb, meaning its conjugation does not follow standard patterns and must be memorized individually.

What does "treiben" mean in English?

The German verb "treiben" means "to drive, to do (sports)" in English.

How do you conjugate "treiben" in the present tense?

In the present tense (Präsens): ich → treibe, du → treibst, er/sie/es → treibt, wir → treiben, ihr → treibt, sie/Sie → treiben.

How many tenses does "treiben" have in German?

"Treiben" is conjugated across 7 tenses in German: Present, Simple Past, Present Perfect, Past Perfect, Future, Subjunctive I, Subjunctive II.

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