werden

Werden is a central German verb with two broad functions. Lexically, it means “to become” or “to come to be.” As an auxiliary, it is used to form the future tense and the passive voice. For example, Es wird dunkel means “it is getting/darkening,” Ich werde morgen kommen means “I will come tomorrow,” and Der Brief wird geschrieben means “the letter is being written.”

Conjugation and forms. The infinitive is werden. In the present tense: ich werde, du wirst, er wird, wir werden, ihr werdet, sie werden. The preterite (Präteritum) forms are ich wurde, du wurdest, er wurde, wir wurden, ihr wurdet, sie wurden. The past participle is geworden. The imperative forms are Werde for the singular informal, and Werdet for the plural informal. In addition to its finite forms, werden combines with other verbs to build compound tenses: as a future auxiliary (Ich werde gehen) and to form the passive voice (Der Brief wird geschrieben; Der Brief ist geschrieben worden).

Other uses and moods. As a lexical verb, werden expresses change of state or development, such as become or turn into: Er wird Lehrer. It also appears in indirect speech using Konjunktiv I (Er sagt, er werde gehen). The Konjunktiv II form is usually expressed with würde: Er würde gehen. Werden thus functions as a versatile hinge between meaning (become) and function (auxiliary for future and passive) in German grammar.

Etymology and related forms. Werden derives from Old High German worden, with cognates in other West Germanic languages (for example Dutch worden). It is among the most frequently used verbs in German, essential for tense formation, voice, and expression of change.