ich werde
The English phrase "I am going to" is expressed in German as ich werde.
This phrase is used to express that someone intends to do something in the future.
Which one should you use?
While ich werde expresses future intent or prediction, German speakers frequently use the present tense plus a time indicator to express "going to" in everyday conversation.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase ich werde … [infinitive] must be paired with an infinitive verb placed at the very end of the clause, functioning similarly to "I will … [infinitive]".
Did you know?
- While English uses the verb 'go' to signal the future, German uses werden, which shares a root with the English word 'weird', originally meaning 'fate' or 'destiny'.
- Using ich werde in a casual setting can sometimes sound overly dramatic or like a formal proclamation, making the speaker sound like a movie villain or a politician.
- The word werde comes from a root meaning 'to become'. In German, saying 'I will' is conceptually closer to saying 'I am becoming' the person who does the action.
Examples in context
- Ich werde ein Auto mieten.I am going to rent a car.This sentence is useful for seeing how to use ich werde with a verb at the end.Tatoeba #3646475 by al_ex_an_der, translation #8779904 by carlosalberto
- Ich werde Reis entspelzen.I am going to husk rice.Tatoeba #12412700 by Yorwba, translation #3339445 by ramenro96
- Ich werde das Problem lösen.I am going to solve the problem.Tatoeba #2575107 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #11442977 by carlosalberto
- Ich werde morgen ins Büro gehen.I am going to the office tomorrow.
- Ich habe vor, nächste Woche in den Urlaub zu gehen.I am planning to go on vacation next week.
- Ich gehe später ins Kino. Hast du Lust mitzukommen?I am going to the movies later. Do you want to come along?
- Ich hab' vor, heute Abend tanzen zu gehen.I plan on going dancing tonight.
- Ich geh' gleich zum Arzt.I am going to the doctor soon.
- Ich mach' mich auf den Weg zur Schule.I am making my way to school.
- Ich werde morgen in die Stadt gehen.I am going to the city tomorrow.
- Ich denke, ich werde heute Nachmittag schwimmen gehen.I think I am going to go swimming this afternoon.
- 43 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are talking about their weekend plans.
- SarahIch werde am Samstag ins Kino gehen.I am going to go to the cinema on Saturday.
- LukasDas klingt gut, wen fragst du?That sounds good, who are you asking?
- SarahIch werde meine Schwester fragen.I am going to ask my sister.
- LukasViel Spaß euch beiden!Have fun, both of you!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
