The subjunctive mood expresses doubt, desire, necessity, or hypothetical situations. German has two subjunctives: Konjunktiv I mainly for indirect speech and Konjunktiv II for unreal conditions and polite requests.
Konjunktiv I
Konjunktiv I keeps reports neutral by showing that something is quoted or reported rather than affirmed. It is mainly used in journalistic and formal contexts.
Formation
Form Konjunktiv I from the infinitive stem by adding endings like -e, -est, -e, -en, -et, -en. The third-person singular ending -e is key for distinguishing indirect speech.
you shall say the result tomorrow
Use
Use Konjunktiv I to report what someone said without endorsing it, especially in headlines, articles, and official statements. If Konjunktiv I forms coincide with the indicative, German prefers Konjunktiv II for clarity.
Konjunktiv II
Konjunktiv II expresses wishes, hypothetical situations, and polite requests. It signals that something is contrary to fact or merely imagined.
Formation
Konjunktiv II often uses the simple past form with umlaut changes plus endings like -e, -est, -e, -en, -et, -en. For common verbs, an -e- is inserted to ease pronunciation. Weak verbs form Konjunktiv II like the past tense.
Use
Use Konjunktiv II for unreal conditions, to express regret or improbability, and for polite forms like würde + infinitive. It frames actions as hypothetical rather than real.
würde + Infinitiv
For many verbs, especially when the Konjunktiv II form sounds odd or is rare, German uses würde + infinitive to make the subjunctive clear and natural. This periphrastic form is common in speech and writing.
Irregular Verbs
Some high-frequency verbs have special Konjunktiv II forms with stem changes or shortened endings. These irregular forms are important for natural expression in hypotheticals and polite speech.
würde + Infinitiv
Summary
The subjunctive mood shapes how speakers present information as reported, desired, or hypothetical. Use Konjunktiv I for neutral indirect speech and Konjunktiv II for unreal scenarios and politeness. Mastering these moods helps you sound precise and natural in German.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025