B2 · GRAMMAR

werden – 1 verb, 5 functions

werden is one of the most common verbs in German and has several different meanings and functions. By itself, it means 'to become'. Combined with another verb, it acts as a helping verb to form the future tense, probability, the passive voice (Passiv), and the 'würde' subjunctive form. In this lesson, we'll look at all six uses one by one. The goal is to immediately recognize what role werden is playing whenever you see it in a sentence.

In this lesson

1. becoming (change of state)

When there is no other verb, it describes a transition from one state to another.

Es wird dunkel.

It's getting dark.

2. Futur I

werden + infinitive. Mostly used for promises/resolutions and predictions. In daily plans, the present tense (Präsens) is often enough.

Ich werde dir helfen.

I will help you.

3. Prediction (Vermutung)

werden + infinitive + wohl: used for assumptions about the present: 'is probably ...'.

Er wird wohl krank sein.

He is probably sick.

4. Futur II

werden + Partizip II + haben/sein: an action that will be completed in the future or a prediction about the past.

Er wird den Zug verpasst haben.

He has probably missed the train.

5. Passiv

werden + Partizip II: focuses on what is being done rather than who is doing it.

Das Haus wird gebaut.

The house is being built.

6. Konjunktiv II (würde)

würde + infinitive: polite requests, hypotheticals/wishes, advice.

Würden Sie mir bitte helfen?

Would you please help me?

💡 The quickest way to understand its function: look at the end of the sentence. The verb form at the end tells you what job werden is doing.