wurden = Vorgangspassiv (Process/Action) Something happened — there’s an action taking place.
waren = Zustandspassiv (State/Result) Something is already done — you’re describing the result after the action.
Think of it this way: wurden = the movie, waren = the screenshot after the movie ends.
Pair 1: die Tür (the door)
🔹 Die Tür wurde um 9 Uhr geschlossen. → The door was closed at 9 o’clock. (Someone closed it — the action happened at 9.)
🔹 Die Tür war um 10 Uhr geschlossen. → The door was closed at 10 o’clock. (At 10, the door was already in a closed state.)
Pair 2: das Problem (the problem)
🔹 Das Problem wurde gestern gelöst. → The problem was solved yesterday. (Someone solved it — the action.)
🔹 Das Problem war bereits gelöst, als ich ankam. → The problem was already solved when I arrived. (I found it in a solved state.)
Pair 3: die Meinungen (the opinions)
🔹 Die Meinungen wurden nicht berücksichtigt. → The opinions were not considered. (Nobody considered them — the action didn’t happen.)
🔹 Die Meinungen waren nicht berücksichtigt. → The opinions were not in a considered state. (Sounds odd — this is why wurden is correct here.)
Pair 4: der Brief (the letter)
🔹 Der Brief wurde am Montag geschickt. → The letter was sent on Monday. (Someone sent it.)
🔹 Der Brief war schon geschickt, als sie anrief. → The letter was already sent when she called. (It was already in a “sent” state.)
Quick test for yourself: Ask the question — am I describing the action or the result?
- Action happening → wurden + Partizip II
- Result/state already existing → waren + Partizip II