Present Participles as Adjectives
To form a present participle (meaning "doing" something right now), add -d to a German infinitive: bummeln (to stroll) becomes bummelnd (strolling).
Placed before a noun, a present participle acts just like an adjective and takes standard adjective endings.
The Extended Attribute "Sandwich"
English usually places extra participle information after the noun: "The stall owner negotiating with the customer."
German packs this descriptive phrase between the article and the noun, placing the participle at the very end of the block:
Article + [Extra Info + Participle] + Noun
| The stall owner negotiating with the customer is very patient. | Der mit dem Kunden verhandelnde Standbesitzer ist sehr geduldig. |
| The crowd strolling across the market is enjoying the weekend. | Die über den Markt bummelnde Menschenmenge genießt das Wochenende. |
Including Direct Objects
This structure (the Linksattribut) can hold anything that normally belongs to the verb, including direct objects. An accusative object simply sits right before the participle.
| The fruit attracting many customers is delicious. | Das viele Kunden anlockende Obst ist lecker. |
| The children nibbling sweet fruit are as happy as the adults. | Die süßes Obst naschenden Kinder sind so glücklich wie die Erwachsenen. |
Adjective Endings
The participle's ending changes to match the case, gender, and number of the noun it modifies. The entire extended phrase moves as a single grammatical unit when the case of the noun changes.
| The loud crowd is buying many delicacies, which pleases the vendors negotiating hard. | Die laute Menschenmenge kauft viele Köstlichkeiten, was den hart verhandelnden Händlern gefällt. |
| The customers buying fresh vegetables love the colorful variety. | Die frisches Gemüse kaufenden Kunden lieben die bunte Vielfalt. |
Putting It All Together
You can use this structure to build highly descriptive sentences. Just remember the golden rule: everything modifying the participle stays tucked tightly between the article and the noun.
| The stall owner offering the variety sells a good-tasting specialty. | Der die Vielfalt anbietende Standbesitzer verkauft eine gut schmeckende Spezialität. |