Brottin

TOPIC · Verbs (Verben)

The Subjunctive Mood Type I (Konjunktiv I) in German

B1B2

After this lesson you can form Konjunktiv I and use it correctly in indirect speech across different tenses.

Der Konjunktiv I is mainly used for indirect speech in German, especially in written and formal language (news, reports, minutes). At B1/B2 you should recognize and form it, even if in everyday speaking people often replace it with the indicative.

1Uses of Konjunktiv I

1.1 Indirect speech (indirekte Rede)

You use Konjunktiv I to report what someone says, thinks or writes, without a direct quote.

  • Direct: Er sagt: „Ich habe keine Zeit.“
    (He says, “I have no time.”)
  • Indirect: Er sagt, er habe keine Zeit.
    (He says he has no time.)

More examples:

  • Sie behauptet, sie kenne ihn nicht.
    (She claims she does not know him.)
  • Der Zeuge erklärt, er habe nichts gesehen.
    (The witness states he has seen nothing.)

1.2 Reports and news

Journalistic and official texts use Konjunktiv I to show distance to the reported statement.

  • Die Polizei teilt mit, der Täter sei gefasst worden.
    (The police announces that the perpetrator has been caught.)
  • Die Sprecherin erklärt, die Lage habe sich beruhigt.
    (The spokesperson explains that the situation has calmed down.)

1.3 Konjunktiv I vs. Konjunktiv II

  • Konjunktiv I: mainly for reported speech.
    Er sagt, er sei krank. – He says he is ill.
  • Konjunktiv II: unreality, politeness, wishes.
    Er wäre gern gesund. – He would like to be healthy.

When the Konjunktiv-I form looks the same as the indicative, speakers often switch to Konjunktiv II to avoid confusion:
Sie sagt, sie habe Zeit. (rather than sie hat Zeit in careful written style).

2Formation of Konjunktiv I (Präsens)

Konjunktiv I is built from the present stem with the endings -e, -est, -e, -en, -et, -en.

2.1 Regular verbs

PersonsagenlernenMeaning
ichsagelerneI (should) say / learn
dusagestlernestyou (should) say / learn
er/sie/essagelernehe/she/it (should) say / learn
wirsagenlernenwe (should) say / learn
ihrsagetlernetyou (pl.) (should) say / learn
sie/Siesagenlernenthey / you (formal) (should) say / learn

In indirect speech, you most often meet 3rd person singular/plural: er sage, sie lernen.

2.2 Irregular verbs: „sein“, „haben“, „werden“

Very frequent in indirect speech:

PersonseinhabenwerdenMeaning
ichseihabewerdeI be / have / will
duseiesthabestwerdestyou be / have / will
er/sie/esseihabewerdehe/she/it be / has / will
wirseienhabenwerdenwe be / have / will
ihrseiethabetwerdetyou (pl.) be / have / will
sie/Sieseienhabenwerdenthey / you (formal) be / have / will

Examples:

  • Er sagt, er sei müde. – He says he is tired.
  • Sie erklärt, sie habe schon gegessen. – She explains she has already eaten.
  • Der Minister betont, es werde keine Steuererhöhungen geben. – The minister stresses there will be no tax increases.

3Konjunktiv I in different tenses

3.1 Simultaneous action – Präsens

Form: Konjunktiv I of haben/sein/werden or of the full verb in present.

  • Direct: „Ich arbeite hier.“
    ("I work here.")
    Indirect: Er sagt, er arbeite hier.
    (He says he works here.)

3.2 Earlier action – Perfekt

Form: Konjunktiv I of „haben/sein“ + Partizip II.

  • Sie sagt, sie habe das Buch gelesen.
    (She says she has read the book.)
  • Der Fahrer gibt an, er sei zu schnell gefahren.
    (The driver states he drove too fast.)

3.3 Later action – Futur I

Form: Konjunktiv I of „werden“ + Infinitiv.

  • Der Chef erklärt, er werde morgen anreisen.
    (The boss explains he will arrive tomorrow.)

4Typical reporting verbs and structures

Common verbs of indirect speech:

  • sagen, meinen, behaupten, erklären, berichten, hinzufügen, bestätigen, bestreiten, schreiben

Typical word order (Nebensatz: verb at the end):

  • Er sagt, er habe keine Zeit.
  • Er sagt, dass er keine Zeit habe.

Both are correct; in both cases the finite verb in Konjunktiv I goes to the end of the subordinate clause.