present of werden

The Verb werden in the Present Tense

In German, the verb werden is one of the most important and versatile verbs you will learn. It roughly translates to "to become" or "to get" in English. While it is also used to form the future tense and the passive voice, this lesson focuses on its primary use as a standalone verb.

1. Conjugation in the Present Tense

The verb werden is irregular. Notice how the stem changes from e to i in the second and third person singular (du and er/sie/es).

• ich werde (I become)
• du wirst (you become - informal)
• er/sie/es wird (he/she/it becomes)
• wir werden (we become)
• ihr werdet (you all become)
• sie/Sie werden (they/you become - formal)

2. Primary Usage: Expressing Change

The main job of werden is to describe a process of change, a development, or a transition from one state to another. It answers the question: "What is someone or something turning into?"

A. Changes in State or Condition

We use it with adjectives to show a change in status, like getting older, getting sick, or the weather changing.

• Es wird kalt. (It is getting cold.)
• Ich werde müde. (I am becoming tired.)
• Die Kinder werden groß. (The children are getting big/growing up.)

B. Changes in Profession or Role

We use it to describe what someone wants to be when they grow up or a change in career.

• Mein Sohn wird Arzt. (My son is becoming a doctor.)
• Was willst du werden? (What do you want to become?)

3. Summary Tips

Remember that werden implies movement toward a goal. If you are already "happy," you use sein (to be). If you are "becoming happy," you use werden.

• Ich bin sauer. (I am angry.) -> Current state
• Ich werde sauer. (I am getting angry.) -> Process of change

Would you like me to create some practice exercises for you to test your knowledge of "werden"?