Future Tense
The future tense (Futur I) is formed using 'werden' (will) + infinitive of the main verb.
In German, the present tense is often used for future actions when the context is clear, but Futur I is used for emphasis or uncertainty.
This lesson covers how to form and use the future tense in German.
Explanation
Form: werden (conjugated) + infinitive. 'werden' is conjugated: ich werde, du wirst, er/sie/es wird, wir werden, ihr werdet, sie werden.
Example: 'Ich werde lernen' (I will learn), 'Er wird kommen' (He will come).
The infinitive comes at the end of the sentence: 'Ich werde morgen nach Berlin fahren' (I will travel to Berlin tomorrow).
Futur I is often used to express assumptions about the present: 'Er wird zu Hause sein' (He will be at home = He is probably at home).
Future Tense Conjugation
| Subject | werden (conjugated) | Infinitive | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | werde | lernen | Ich werde lernen | I will learn |
| du | wirst | lernen | Du wirst lernen | You will learn |
| er/sie/es | wird | lernen | Er wird lernen | He will learn |
| wir | werden | lernen | Wir werden lernen | We will learn |
| ihr | werdet | lernen | Ihr werdet lernen | You will learn |
| sie | werden | lernen | Sie werden lernen | They will learn |
Examples
Ich werde morgen kommen.
I will come tomorrow.
Er wird Deutsch lernen.
He will learn German.
Wir werden nach Berlin fahren.
We will travel to Berlin.
Sie wird zu Hause sein.
She will be at home. (or: She is probably at home)
Ihr werdet es verstehen.
You will understand it.
Common Mistakes
Ich werde lerne
Ich werde lernen
After 'werden', use the infinitive form, not the conjugated form. 'lernen', not 'lerne'.
Ich werde lernen (when meaning present)
Ich lerne
For present actions, use present tense. Use future tense only for future actions or assumptions.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
Start Exercises →Related Topics
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.