Today's 3 Minuten Deutsch video explains how to conjugate "werden" in the subjunctive form. I then give a variety of examples of how to use the subjunctive using "werden". These examples include situations that are contrary to reality, polite requests, and a bit of sarcasm and irony. Watch the video below for a quick overview of the topic. Keep scrolling for a more in-depth explanation of the Konjunktiv 2 with "würden".
Conjugation of "werden" in Konjunktiv 2
ich würde - I would
du würdest - you would
er, sie, es würde - he, she it, would
wir würden - we would
ihr würdet - you would
sie, Sie würden - they, you would
Situations Contrary to Reality
The official function of the subjunctive (Konjunktiv 2) in German is to describe events and actions that are contrary to reality. This means that these events and actions didn't happen, aren't happening, or won't happen. For example:
Ich würde einen Hund kaufen. - I would buy a dog.
In this sentence, I'm not buying a dog. I could have restated this sentence in the indicative form by saying, "Ich kaufe keinen Hund." (I'm not buying a dog.) The use of "würden" indicates that you might purchase a dog, if you were in a different situation, but the reality of the situation is that you aren't buying a dog.
Politeness
The Konjunktiv 2 is often used to show politeness. Because it illustrates something that is contrary to reality, it gives the listener the choice of doing the action or not. For example:
Würden Sie mir bitte eine Tasse Tee bringen? - Would you please bring me a cup of tea?
While the word "bitte" is actually what makes this sentence express politeness, it is aided by the Konjunktiv 2. The entire sentence is relegated to the hypothetical, which makes it less of a command and more of a request. This is the same reason that "möchten" is considered to be more polite than "wollen", as it is the Konjunktiv 2 of "mögen".
Irony & Sarcasm
You can be rude with any kind of sentence in any language. It simply depends upon how you phrase things and your intonation of the expression. In order to use the Konjunktiv 2 with irony and sarcasm, you simply form something as if it were a polite request, but add in some flair to make it sound like you are being mean or spiteful towards the other person.
Würdest du bitte im Betrieb spielen? - Would you please play in traffic?
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