Forming and using the Konjunktiv II in German

Understanding grammar is key to understanding a language.
Learn how to use Forming and using the Konjunktiv II in German and many other tips and tricks with Wunderbla.
Test your German level for free today.

TEST YOUR GERMAN Free trial and no commitment to buy
4,6 on App Store, Play Store and Trustpilot
More than 7 million learners worldwide

Forming and using the Konjunktiv II

The Konjunktiv II (subjunctive II) is used to express imagined wishes or conditions. It can also be used to give advice or suggestions, or to make a sentence politer.

Ich würde gerne zum Mond fliegen. (irrealer Wunsch)

I would like to fly to the moon. (imagined wish)

Wenn Tim Geld hätte, würde er eine Reise machen. (irreale Bedingung)

If Tim had money he would take a trip. (imagined condition)

Magda, könntest du bitte das Fenster öffnen? (Höflichkeit)

Magda, could you please open the window? (polite)

Sigi, du solltest zum Arzt gehen! (Ratschlag)

Sigi, you should go to the doctor! (advice)

Wir könnten ins Kino gehen. (Vorschlag)

We could go to the cinema. (suggestion)

Forming the subjunctive II:

  • Subjunctive II of werden (will, become) werden, Konj. II Präteritum + infinitive

Ich würde schlafen.

I would sleep.

Wir würden fahren.

We would drive.

  • For modal verbs, we simply added a subjunctive ending (without werden).

Ich könnte zu dir kommen.

I could come to you.

können en
ich könnte
du könntest
er/sie/es könnte
wir könnten
ihr könntet
sie/Sie könnten
dürfen en
ich dürfte
du dürftest
er/sie/es dürfte
wir dürften
ihr dürftet
sie/Sie dürften

Note:

  • The verbs sollen (shall, should) sollen, Konj. II Präteritum and wollen (want) wollen, Konj. II Präteritum have no umlaut in the subjunctive.
  • The verbs sein (to be) sein, Konj. II Präteritum and haben (to have) haben, Konj. II Präteritum are formed like the modal verbs, without werden.

Still facing difficulties with 'Forming and using the Konjunktiv II'? Learn and enhance your German grammar through our online German course. Start with a free test and improve today!

TEST YOUR GERMAN

What our users say:

Pleasure

         

I enjoy doing my online German lessons. Only ten minutes daily are enough...Thank you!

Innovative

         

I love your innovative method which allows me to learn a new language and have fun at the same time!

Unique

         

Your method is unique! Your courses have helped me to progress and gain confidence during my travels.

Progress

         

Gymglish has allowed me to improve my German. A daily routine I wouldn't miss for anything in the world!

More testimonials.

Improve your German further and test Wunderbla, online German lessons.