German grammar: war / hatte (past of sein and haben)
In spoken German, sein and haben are usually put in the simple past: war (was) and hatte (had). Other verbs normally use the perfect tense in speech.
Example questions with answers
Als Kind war ich sehr schüchtern.
As a child I was very shy.
Why: 'was' → sein → war.
Wir hatten keine Zeit.
We had no time.
Why: 'had' → haben → hatten (wir).
Warst du gestern krank?
Were you ill yesterday?
Why: 'Were you ill?' → sein → du warst.
Er hatte Fieber.
He had a fever.
Why: 'had a fever' → haben → er hatte.
Ihr wart im Urlaub, oder?
You were on holiday, weren't you?
Why: 'were on holiday' → sein → ihr wart.
Meine Großeltern hatten ein großes Haus.
My grandparents had a big house.
Why: 'had a house' → haben → sie hatten.
Das Wetter war schön.
The weather was nice.
Why: 'was nice' → sein → es war.
Ich hatte keinen Hunger.
I wasn't hungry.
Why: In German hunger is something you 'have': Hunger haben → ich hatte.
Wir waren gestern im Kino.
We were at the cinema yesterday.
Why: 'were at the cinema' → sein → wir waren.
Hattet ihr ein Auto?
Did you have a car?
Why: 'did you have' → haben → ihr hattet.
Which is most natural in speech? ('I was tired yesterday.')
→ Ich war gestern müde.
Why: Both are correct, but in speech the simple past (war/hatte) is preferred for sein and haben.
Which is most natural in speech? ('I ordered a pizza.')
→ Ich habe eine Pizza bestellt.
Why: Apart from sein/haben, verbs are normally used in the perfect tense in speech.
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