How do I form the modern German Subjunctive II with "würde"?

Use würden as the conjugated helper verb and put the main verb in the infinitive at the end . For example: Ich würde gern eine Pizza essen.

When should I use "würde" in German?

Use it for hypothetical situations, wishes, dreams, polite requests, and advice . It helps you talk about something that is not real or not happening now.

Are there any verbs that do not usually use "würde"?

Yes. Sein and haben usually use their own Subjunctive II forms: wäre and hätte . So instead of ich würde sein , you say ich wäre .

Subjunctive II (Soft) — The Dreamer (Würde) 💭🥺

The Subjunctive II expresses wishes, dreams, and unreal situations. The 'soft' modern form uses the helper verb würde plus the infinitive verb at the end of the sentence. (e.g., Ich würde ein Haus kaufen - I would buy a house).

Infographic illustrating the 'Soft' Subjunctive II formed with 'würde' + Infinitive.

This is the mode for Hypothetical Situations.
"I would buy a boat." "We would come."
It describes things that are NOT real (yet).

The "Würde" Trick 🪄

In 90% of cases, German is easier than you think.
You don't need to learn a new conjugation table for every verb.
You just need the helper verb Würden (would) + Infinitive.

Würden (conjugated) + ... + Infinitive (at the end).

Ich würde gern eine Pizza essen. (I would like to eat a pizza).
Wir würden dich besuchen. (We would visit you).

Conjugating Würden

It behaves like a Modal Verb (ich = er/sie/es).

Person	Form
ich	würde
du	würdest
er/sie/es	würde
wir	würden
ihr	würdet
sie/Sie	würden

When to use it?

Polite Requests: Würdest du mir helfen? (Would you help me?)
Wishes/Dreams: Ich würde gern nach Hawaii fliegen.
Advice: Ich würde das nicht machen. (I wouldn't do that).

Exceptions 🚨

For Sein (to be) and Haben (to have), we usually DO NOT use würde.
We use their specific forms: Wäre and Hätte.
See Subjunctive II (Hard).

The Ultimate Politeness Hack 🎩

If you want to sound nice, just add würden to any question.

Machst du das Fenster auf? (Direct).
Würdest du das Fenster aufmachen? (Polite).
Gibst du mir das Salz?
Würdest du mir das Salz geben?

It instantly makes you sound less demanding.

Song Reference 🎶

"Wenn ich ein Vöglein wär" (Old folk song).
"If I were a little bird..." (Hard mode wär).
"...und auch zwei Flüglein hätt" (...and also had two wings).
"...flög ich zu dir." (I would fly to you - This is the OLD One-word form of fliegen. Today we say: ...würde ich zu dir fliegen).