Deutsch · B1 · grammar · 4 minutes
Process passive and state passive
Contrast an action in progress with its resulting condition.
Understand the choice
The same participle can describe two viewpoints. Wird geschlossen focuses on someone closing the door; ist geschlossen focuses on the door’s condition after that action.
Core rule: Werden + participle expresses a process/action passive; sein + participle expresses the resulting state.
Notice it in context
Die Tür wird um acht Uhr geschlossen; danach ist sie geschlossen.
The door is closed at eight; afterward it is closed.
Wird…geschlossen brackets the scheduled process; ist geschlossen describes the later state.
Das Essen wird gerade vorbereitet.
The food is being prepared right now.
Gerade plus wird…vorbereitet emphasizes an ongoing process.
Der Raum ist bereits vorbereitet.
The room is already prepared.
Ist vorbereitet describes a completed state.
What to remember
- Von + dative can add an agent to a process passive.
- Some participles behave like ordinary adjectives, so context determines whether state passive analysis matters.
Common trap: Do not translate every English be + participle with sein. Use werden when the action/process is central.