State a wish with hätte gern
The verb agrees with the person: ich hätte, du hättest, wir hätten. The umlaut separates the wish form from past hatte.
Wir hätten gern zwei Fahrkarten.
We would like two tickets.
Ask for help with könnte
Use könntest du with someone you address informally and könnten Sie for formal address. The action verb stays in the infinitive.
Könnten Sie bitte kurz warten?
Could you please wait a moment?
Use würde with an infinitive
Conjugate würde, then put the action infinitive at the end of the simple main clause. Do not add a second person ending or insert zu.
Nora würde gern am Kurs teilnehmen.
Nora would like to take part in the course.
A polite form can concern tomorrow
Look at the time expression and purpose of the sentence. Konnte reports past ability; könnte can present a possibility or soften a request.
Könnten wir morgen früher beginnen?
Could we start earlier tomorrow?
Grammar is only part of politeness
A subjunctive form can soften a request, but tone, wording and context still matter. A direct question can also be courteous. Avoid treating a form as an automatic guarantee.
Das wäre sehr hilfreich.
That would be very helpful.
Practise this pattern
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References
Original teaching prose and examples, informed by these grammar references. A2 placement is an editorial curriculum choice, not a CEFR certification.