Formation and use of Konjunktiv I and II for reported speech and hypothetical statements, with example sentences. Front: the German word or phrase. Back: English meaning.
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- Konjunktiv I stem for regular verbs
- Use the infinitive stem (mach- for machen, sag- for sagen)
- Konjunktiv I endings after the verb stem
- -e, -est, -e, -en, -et, -en (ich mache, du machest, er mache, etc.)
- Konjunktiv II for regular verbs
- Preterite stem plus -e- infix: mach-e-te would become mach-te (use würde + infinitive instead for most regulars)
- ich hätte
- I would have (Konjunktiv II of haben)
- ich wäre
- I would be (Konjunktiv II of sein)
- ich würde
- I would (Konjunktiv II of werden, used for regular verbs)
- Primary use of Konjunktiv I
- Reported speech or indirect discourse (Er sagte, er sei krank)
- Primary use of Konjunktiv II
- Hypothetical situations, contrary-to-fact statements, and polite requests (Wenn ich Zeit hätte, würde ich kommen)
- Er sagte, er sei krank
- He said that he was ill (reported speech using Konjunktiv I)
- Sie behauptete, sie habe es nicht getan
- She claimed that she had not done it (reported speech, Konjunktiv I present perfect)
- Wenn ich Zeit hätte, würde ich kommen
- If I had time, I would come (hypothetical condition with Konjunktiv II)
- Das wäre schön
- That would be nice (polite Konjunktiv II)
- Konjunktiv I of sagen (er/sie/es form)
- er sage (he say in reported speech)
- Konjunktiv I of gehen (ich form)
- ich gehe (I go, reported speech)
- Konjunktiv II of geben
- ich gäbe, du gäbest, er gäbe (umlaut of strong preterite gab)