Meaning
A polite, formal way to express a wish that someone will come; literally 'you would make us very happy if you came'.
Primary Function
Formulating a polite request
Communicative Purpose
To ask the interlocutor to attend a meeting, event, or visit
Pattern
würden; uns sehr glücklich machen, wenn; kämen
Core Structure
würden; uns sehr glücklich machen, wenn; kämen
Função primária
Formulating a polite request
Propósito comunicativo
To ask the interlocutor to attend a meeting, event, or visit
Situações de gatilho
Invitation to a celebration, request for meeting attendance, desire for a visit
Contextos
formal invitations, business correspondence, private occasions
Padrão
würden; uns sehr glücklich machen, wenn; kämen
Estrutura central
würden; uns sehr glücklich machen, wenn; kämen
Slots de substituição
Subject (you), Object (us), Adjective (happy), Verb (make), Subordinate clause (if you would come)
Colocados típicos
- very
- happy
- make
- if
- would come
Substituições comuns
- would → could (less strong)
- happy → pleased (different adjective)
Erros comuns
Using indicative ('wenn Sie kommen') instead of subjunctive II, omitting 'very' in less formal tone
Similar / contraste
It would please us if you would come, We would be grateful if you could appear
Interferências
English speakers often use the simple present after 'if' instead of the German subjunctive II, which can sound impolite.
Família do chunk
- It would please us if you would come
- We would be pleased if you could attend
- It would be nice if you would come
Nuance
Very polite, slightly formal; expresses a wish without making a demand
Efeito pragmático
Signals respect and politeness, softens the request and increases willingness to come
Dica de memória
would ... if
Nota
This expression is used in formal invitations to phrase a request politely without imposing demands
Upgrade path
It would give us great pleasure if you attended the event
Log in to save chunks.