Konjunktiv I vs Konjunktiv II
When to Use
Konjunktiv I is for indirect/reported speech (er sagt, er sei krank). Konjunktiv II is for wishes, hypotheticals, and polite requests (Wenn ich reich wäre... / Ich hätte gern...). In spoken German, Konj. II often replaces Konj. I in reported speech.
Comparison
| Konjunktiv I | Konjunktiv II | |
|---|---|---|
| Function | Reported speech | Wishes / hypotheticals / polite |
| Formation | er sei / habe / komme | er wäre / hätte / käme |
| würde-form | No | Yes (würde + Infinitiv) |
| Register | Formal / journalistic | Everyday speech |
Examples
Correct
Er sagt, er sei krank. (Konj. I)
Wrong
Er sagt, er wäre krank. (Konj. II — colloquial)
Correct
Wenn ich reich wäre, würde ich reisen. (Konj. II)
Wrong
Wenn ich reich sei...
Correct
Die Zeitung berichtet, es gebe Probleme. (Konj. I)
Wrong
Die Zeitung berichtet, es gibt Probleme.
Tips
For B2+: Konj. I appears mainly in news and academic texts. Focus on Konj. II for everyday use.
Common Konj. II forms to memorize: wäre, hätte, könnte, müsste, würde.
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