fungierte

Fungierte is the simple past (Präteritum) form of the German verb fungieren. The verb fungieren means to function or to act in a particular capacity or role, often in formal or official contexts. Therefore, fungierte is used to describe a past action or status in narrative or reporting.

Usage of fungieren covers phrases such as acting in a role, serving as a representative, or functioning as a certain entity. Examples in sentences include: "Sie fungierte als Zeugin" (she acted as a witness) and "Der Verein fungierte als Vermittler" (the association served as an intermediary). In journalistic or legal texts, fungierte helps convey that someone or something held a specific function in the past.

Grammatical notes: fungieren is a regular (weak) verb. Its present tense forms are ich fungiere, du fungierst, er fungiert, wir fungieren, ihr fungiert, sie fungieren. In the Präteritum, the forms are ich fungierte, du fungiertest, er fungierte, wir fungierten, ihr fungiertet, sie fungierten; fungierte itself is the form used with first- or third-person singular in the past, depending on the subject. The past participle is fungiert, used with auxiliary haben in perfect constructions (e.g., hat fungiert).

See also: fungieren, role and capacity in German grammar.