> German indirect speech and how it uses the subjunctive I (Konjunktiv I) to report statements, questions, offers, and commands.
German indirect speech (indirekte Rede) is used to report what someone else has said without quoting them directly. Instead of using quotation marks, German changes the verb form to the subjunctive I (Konjunktiv I) to show that the statement is being reported.
- It’s common in journalism, formal writing, and storytelling.
- The subject and word order usually stay the same as in a statement, but the verb moves to the end in questions and subordinate clauses.
- If Konjunktiv I looks like the indicative, Konjunktiv II may be used instead for clarity.
How Indirect Speech Works
Indirect speech changes the verb form—and sometimes the word order—to indicate that you’re reporting rather than stating something yourself. The main clause introduces the report with verbs like sagen (say), meinen (mean), berichten (report), fragen (ask), etc. The actual statement goes into a subordinate clause starting with dass (that), ob (if/whether), or a question word.
Reporting Clause + Subordinate Clause
Example:
- Sie sagt, dass sie müde ist. (She says that she is tired.)
- Er fragt, ob du kommst. (He asks if you’re coming.)
Using the Subjunctive I (Konjunktiv I)
Konjunktiv I is the default mood for German indirect speech. It’s formed by taking the infinitive stem and adding the Konjunktiv I endings.
Konjunktiv I Endings
| Person | Ending |
|---|---|
| ich | -e |
| du | -est |
| er/sie/es | -e |
| wir | -en |
| ihr | -et |
| sie/Sie | -en |
Examples:
Verb: sagen (to say)
| German Pronoun | Indicative Present | Konjunktiv I | Example Sentence | English Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | ich sage | ich sage | Ich sage, ich sei müde. | I say that I am tired. |
| du | du sagst | du sagest | Er sagt, du seist müde. | He says that you are tired. |
| er/sie/es | er sagt | er sage | Sie sagt, sie sei müde. | She says that she is tired. |
| wir | wir sagen | wir sagen | Wir sagen, wir seien müde. | We say that we are tired. |
| ihr | ihr sagt | ihr saget | Ihr sagt, ihr seiet müde. | You all say that you are tired. |
| sie/Sie | sie sagen | sie sagen | Sie sagen, sie seien müde. | They say that they are tired. |
Key Point:
- Use the Konjunktiv I form inside the subordinate clause after reporting verbs.
- The verb usually comes at the end in indirect speech.
Reporting Different Types of Statements
Affirmative Statements
Structure: [Reporting verb], dass + [subject] + [verb in Konjunktiv I]
Example:
- Direkt: „Ich komme morgen.“
- Indirekt: Er sagt, dass er morgen komme.
Negative Statements
Add nicht where it appeared in the original statement.
Example:
- Direkt: „Ich komme nicht.“
- Indirekt: Er sagt, dass er nicht komme.
Questions
Use question words or ob for yes/no questions. The verb still goes to the end.
- Ja/Nein Fragen: Er fragt, ob du kommst.
- W-Fragen: Sie fragt, wann er ankomme.
Commands and Requests
Use Infinitiv (infinitive) at the end, often with zu.
- Er befiehlt, das Zimmer zu verlassen.
- Sie bittet, leise zu sein.
Avoiding Confusion: When to Use Konjunktiv II
If Konjunktiv I looks like the indicative (i.e., the endings are the same), use Konjunktiv II (subjunctive II) to make the reported speech clear.
Example with kommen (to come):
| Pronoun | Indicative Present | Konjunktiv I | Konjunktiv II | Example (K II Used for Clarity) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| er | er kommt | er komme | er käme | Er sagte, er käme morgen. |
Summary
- German indirect speech reports what someone else said without quotes.
- Use a reporting verb + a subordinate clause starting with dass, ob, or a question word.
- Use Konjunktiv I for the verb inside the subordinate clause.
- If Konjunktiv I matches the indicative, use Konjunktiv II instead.
- The verb goes to the end in subordinate clauses.
- Use infinitives for commands and requests.
Understanding German indirect speech helps you report information accurately, especially in formal writing and conversations.
Last updated: Sat May 31, 2025
