Konjunktiv I is a German verb mood essential for expressing indirect speech, ensuring neutrality and avoiding the direct assertion of someone else's words.
- Converts direct statements into indirect speech (die indirekte Rede)
- Maintains the original speaker’s perspective without endorsement
- Commonly used in journalism, formal writing, and precise communication
Konjunktiv I is mainly used for indirect speech in German.
Konjunktiv I is used for indirect speech, reported statements, journalism, and formal writing.
Forms and Endings
Konjunktiv I forms are created from the verb stem with specific endings, differing slightly for each pronoun.
| Pronoun | Ending |
|---|---|
| ich | -e |
| du | -est |
| er/sie/es | -e |
| wir | -en |
| ihr | -et |
| sie/Sie | -en |
- For most verbs, use the infinitive stem (e.g., sprechen → sprech-).
- Example with sprechen: ich spreche, du sprechest, er/sie/es spreche, wir sprechen, ihr sprechet, sie sprechen.
Correct endings are -e, -est, -e, -en, -et, -en.
Example: Indirect Speech
Direct Speech
- Er sagt: „Ich bin müde.“
(He says, "I am tired.")
Indirect Speech (Konjunktiv I)
- Er sagt, er sei müde.
(He says that he is tired [reported].)
Only the verb changes—the rest of the sentence stays close to the original, preserving the speaker’s intent.
The correct indirect form is 'Er sagt, er sei müde.'
Konjunktiv I is for reported speech, maintains neutrality, and is used in journalism.
Special Cases
- If Konjunktiv I forms match the indicative, Konjunktiv II forms are used to avoid confusion.
- For sein, haben, and modal verbs, memorize unique Konjunktiv I forms.
Examples: sein and haben
| Verb | ich | du | er/sie/es | wir | ihr | sie/Sie |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| sein | sei | seist | sei | seien | seiet | seien |
| haben | habe | habest | habe | haben | habet | haben |
Correct is 'Er sagt, er sei Lehrer.'
If Konjunktiv I matches the indicative, Konjunktiv II forms are used for clarity.
Conclusion
Konjunktiv I is essential for accurately conveying reported speech in German, preserving the original speaker's viewpoint without direct endorsement.
- Used mainly for indirect speech in formal contexts
- Employs distinct verb endings to signal reported statements
- Avoids confusion by switching to Konjunktiv II when needed