duformen

Duformen, in German linguistics, refers to the set of verb forms used with the informal second-person singular pronoun du. The term encompasses the conjugations that accompany du across tenses and moods and is contrasted with the formal Sie-Form used with Sie.

Usage of the Du-Form is central to the practice of Duzen, the informal mode of address in German. Duzen is common among family, friends, peers, and many younger speakers, and its adoption signals familiarity. The choice between Duzen and Siezen depends on context, region, and social norms; in workplaces, schools, or service settings, policies vary and may change over time. In written German, the pronoun du is normally lowercase, though some stylistic or historical contexts may capitalise it for emphasis or politeness.

Conjugation in the Du-Form follows standard German patterns, with most verbs forming the present tense as du + stem + -st (for example, du gehst, du arbeitest). Irregulars exist: du bist (from sein), du hast (haben), du wirst (werden), du kannst (können), du musst (müssen), du willst (wollen). Some verbs show stem changes in the du-form, such as du gehst or du fährst, where the stem vowel changes or an umlaut occurs (du läufst, du siehst). The Du-Form also appears in other tenses and moods, including the preterite (du gingst), perfect (du bist gegangen), and Konjunktiv II forms (du wolltest).

See also: Duzen, Siezen, German grammar.