Reported Speech
Learn to report what others have said using German indirect speech (indirekte Rede). Master the use of Konjunktiv I for formal reporting and alternative structures for everyday German.
1Introduction to Reported Speech
Reported speech (indirekte Rede) is used when you retell what someone else said. German has a special mood for this: Konjunktiv I. It signals that you're reporting someone else's words, not stating facts. While Konjunktiv I is standard in formal writing and journalism, everyday spoken German often uses Konjunktiv II or indicative with "dass" (that) clauses instead.
Examples
Er sagt, er sei müde.
He says he is tired.
Konjunktiv I (sei) for reported speech
Sie sagte, dass sie krank ist.
She said that she is sick.
Common alternative with dass + indicative
Er meinte, er hätte keine Zeit.
He said he didn't have time.
Konjunktiv II when K1 = indicative
Die Zeitung berichtet, die Preise seien gestiegen.
The newspaper reports that prices have risen.
Konjunktiv I in journalism
2Forming Konjunktiv I
Konjunktiv I is formed from the infinitive stem + special endings. The endings are: -e, -est, -e, -en, -et, -en. The key distinctive form is the third person singular (er/sie/es), which ends in -e. For sein: ich sei, du seist, er/sie/es sei, wir seien, ihr seiet, sie/Sie seien. For haben: ich habe, du habest, er/sie/es habe, wir haben, ihr habet, sie/Sie haben.
Examples
Er sagt, er komme morgen.
He says he's coming tomorrow.
komme = Konjunktiv I of kommen
Sie behauptet, sie habe das Geld nicht genommen.
She claims she didn't take the money.
habe = Konjunktiv I of haben
Der Minister erklärt, die Situation sei unter Kontrolle.
The minister states the situation is under control.
sei = Konjunktiv I of sein
Er fragt, ob sie Zeit habe.
He asks if she has time.
habe in indirect question
3When to Use Konjunktiv II Instead
When Konjunktiv I looks identical to the indicative (which happens often in ich, wir, sie forms), use Konjunktiv II instead to clearly mark reported speech. This is called the "Ersatzregel" (replacement rule). In spoken German, Konjunktiv II is generally preferred over Konjunktiv I because it sounds more natural and is easier to recognize.
Examples
Sie sagten, sie hätten keine Zeit.
They said they had no time.
hätten (K2) because 'haben' (K1) = indicative
Ich erklärte, ich wäre nicht einverstanden.
I explained that I didn't agree.
wäre (K2) because 'sei' sounds odd for 'ich'
Er meinte, wir könnten früher kommen.
He said we could come earlier.
könnten (K2) for natural speech
Sie sagte, sie würde es machen.
She said she would do it.
würde + infinitive in spoken German
4Reporting Questions and Commands
Indirect questions are introduced with the original question word (wer, was, wo, etc.) or with "ob" (whether) for yes/no questions. The verb goes to the end of the clause. Commands are reported using "sollen" (should) in Konjunktiv I or II. This is the standard way to convey that someone told another person to do something.
Examples
Er fragte, wo ich wohne.
He asked where I live.
Indirect question with 'wo'
Sie wollte wissen, ob ich Zeit hätte.
She wanted to know if I had time.
'ob' for yes/no indirect questions
Er sagte, ich solle warten.
He told me to wait.
solle = reported command
Der Chef sagte, wir sollten pünktlich sein.
The boss said we should be on time.
sollten for plural reported command
5Everyday Alternatives
In everyday spoken German, reported speech is often simpler. You can use "dass" + indicative, or just quote directly with a reporting verb. The formal Konjunktiv I is mainly used in news, academic writing, and formal contexts. Common reporting verbs: sagen (say), meinen (think/say), behaupten (claim), berichten (report), erklären (explain), fragen (ask).
Examples
Er hat gesagt, dass er kommt.
He said that he's coming.
dass + indicative (everyday German)
Sie meinte, das ist eine gute Idee.
She said that's a good idea.
No dass, just indicative (colloquial)
Laut dem Bericht sind die Zahlen gestiegen.
According to the report, the numbers have risen.
laut + dative for citing sources
Er hat mir erzählt, dass er einen neuen Job hat.
He told me that he has a new job.
erzählen + dass for storytelling