Verbs can be classified into various semantic categories according to the meaning they express, i.e. a action, a state or a process undergone by the subject.
1. Verbs that express action/activity
Verbs of this category express an action performed by the subject.
| Examples |
| singen, arbeiten, schlagen, essen, anrufen, spielen, erschießen, zerstören, bauen, helfen, lesen, gehen, schreiben, lachen etc. |
2. Verbs that express an action performed by the subject
Verbs of this category express a change in the subject; they also express a process that the subject undergoes.
| Examples |
| einschlafen, verhungern, sterben, erfrieren, wachsen, fallen, erfrieren, aufwachen etc. |
3. Verbs that express state
Verbs of this category express a state. The subject undergoes no change.
| Examples |
| leben, sein, wohnen, liegen, sich befinden, schlafen etc. |