Werden
'Werden' is a very important verb in German with multiple uses: it means 'to become', it's used to form the future tense, and it's used in passive voice.
Understanding all the uses of 'werden' is essential for advanced German grammar.
This lesson covers all forms and uses of 'werden' in German.
Explanation
As a main verb meaning 'to become': 'Ich werde Lehrer' (I become a teacher), 'Er wird müde' (He becomes tired).
As auxiliary for future tense: 'Ich werde lernen' (I will learn), 'Er wird kommen' (He will come).
As auxiliary for passive voice: 'Das Buch wird gelesen' (The book is being read), 'Die Tür wird geöffnet' (The door is being opened).
Present tense: ich werde, du wirst, er/sie/es wird, wir werden, ihr werdet, sie werden.
Simple past: ich wurde, du wurdest, er/sie/es wurde, wir wurden, ihr wurdet, sie wurden.
Past participle: geworden (as main verb), worden (in passive perfect).
Werden - Uses
| Use | Example | Translation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| To become | Ich werde Lehrer | I become a teacher | Main verb |
| Future tense | Ich werde lernen | I will learn | Auxiliary + infinitive |
| Passive voice | Das Buch wird gelesen | The book is being read | Auxiliary + past participle |
Examples
Ich werde Lehrer.
I become a teacher.
Er wird morgen kommen.
He will come tomorrow.
Das Buch wird gelesen.
The book is being read.
Wir werden müde.
We become tired.
Die Tür wird geöffnet werden.
The door will be opened.
Common Mistakes
Ich werde lerne
Ich werde lernen
In future tense, use infinitive after 'werden', not conjugated form. 'lernen', not 'lerne'.
Das Buch wird lesen
Das Buch wird gelesen
In passive voice, use past participle after 'werden', not infinitive. 'gelesen', not 'lesen'.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
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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.