This audio and article will take the fear out of using wäre in German. All it means is "would be," but would be has nothing to do with reality. It actually has to do with things which are unreal. Something that isn't true now, but would be nice or would be nuts or would be fantastic.
This grammar topic is known as the "Konjunktiv II." We'll use only the present tense today.
If this is brand new for you, it's best to take it one step at a time. The first step are the very straight-forward sentences (or "simple sentences") in this audio.
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wäre
wäre means “would be” in German, the grammar topic here is Konjunktiv II and if you don't make friends with grammar terms easily, think of the Konjunktiv II and the would should could form.
This would-should-could form can be confusing for German learners, so let's take it one step at a time—we're only tackling wäre today.
Wäre das gut? Ja, das wäre gut.
Wäre has nothing to do with reality. Wäre is not something that exists today or is a part of your life today, it's all about dreams, wishes, and things which are unreal. This is called irreal in German. The simple sentence “Das wäre gut” means “That would be good.”
Das wäre schlecht. ~ That would be bad.
Das wäre verrückt! ~ That would be nuts!
We're talking about things which would be good, bad, or nuts, and we're using it in the present tense. These sentences will stay really simple, otherwise you need more forms of the Konjunktiv II, the would-should-could form. So consider short sentences with wäre as a way to make comments about ideas or things you hear. Concentrate on the present.
Leben auf dem Mond? Das wäre seltsam.
Im Regendwald leben? Das wäre nichts für mich.
Mehr Deutsch lernen? Das wäre toll!
Das ist genug für heute! Passen Sie gut auf sich auf. Das wäre gut.