How do I form the German passive voice?

Use werden plus the Partizip II (past participle). For example: Das Auto wird repariert = “The car is being repaired.”

What is the difference between process passive and state passive?

Process passive (Vorgangspassiv) focuses on an action in progress and uses werden : Die Tür wird geöffnet = “The door is being opened.” State passive (Zustandspassiv) focuses on the result and uses sein : Die Tür ist geöffnet = “The door is open.”

How do I say who did the action in the passive?

Use von for people or agents: Das Auto wird von dem Mechaniker repariert. Use durch for causes or instruments: Das Fenster wurde durch den Wind geöffnet.

Passive Voice — It Is Done 🤖🏗️

The Passive Voice focuses on an action rather than who is doing it. In German, it is formed using the auxiliary verb werden (conjugated) combined with the Past Participle placed at the very end of the sentence. (Das Haus wird gebaut).

Infographic showing how to form the Passive Voice in German using 'werden' and the participle.

Active: "The man eats the apple." (Der Mann isst den Apfel).
Passive: "The apple is being eaten." (Der Apfel wird gegessen).

In Passive, the Subject (Doer) becomes unimportant or invisible.
The Object (Receiver) becomes the superstar.

The Formula: Werden + Participle II

You need the helper verb Werden (to become) and the past participle (ge-word).

Tense	Helper (Werden)	End	Example
Present	wird	gemacht	Das Auto wird* repariert.*
Simple Past	wurde	gemacht	Das Auto wurde* repariert.*
Perfect	ist	gemacht worde	Das Auto ist* repariert worden.*

[!NOTE]
Who did it? (Von vs. Durch)
If you want to mention the doer:

Von: Use for people/agents. (Das Auto wird von dem Mechaniker repariert.)

Durch: Use for instruments/causes. (Das Fenster wurde durch den Wind geöffnet.)

Process vs. State (Vorgang vs. Zustand) 🚂 vs 🧘

German separates "Being done" and "Is done".

1. Process Passive (Vorgangspassiv)

Something is happening RIGHT NOW.

Die Tür wird geöffnet. (The door is being opened - I can see it moving).
Helper: Werden.

2. State Passive (Zustandspassiv)

It is already finished. I see the result.

Die Tür ist geöffnet. (The door is open).
Helper: Sein (is).

The "Man" Alternative 🏃‍♂️

In spoken German, we often avoid the Passive by using man (one/people).

Passive: Hier wird getanzt. (Here is being danced).
Active (Man): Hier tanzt man. (Here one dances).
Both mean the same thing: "Dancing is happening here."

This is advanced stuff (B1/B2).

Das Haus muss renoviert werden. (The house must be renovated).
Formula: Muss (Pos 2) + Participle + Werden (End).