Subjunctive & Conditional
Master the German Konjunktiv II for expressing hypothetical situations, wishes, polite requests, and conditional sentences. Learn both the würde-form and direct subjunctive.
1Introduction to Konjunktiv II
The Konjunktiv II (subjunctive II) is used for hypothetical or unreal situations, wishes, polite requests, and conditional sentences. It's similar to "would" constructions in English ("I would go", "If I were"). There are two ways to form Konjunktiv II: using "würde" + infinitive (more common in spoken German), or using direct subjunctive forms (more common with sein, haben, and modal verbs).
Examples
Ich würde gerne nach Japan reisen.
I would like to travel to Japan.
würde + infinitive (common form)
Wenn ich reich wäre, würde ich ein Haus kaufen.
If I were rich, I would buy a house.
Conditional with wäre and würde
Das wäre toll!
That would be great!
wäre = would be (direct subjunctive)
Ich hätte gerne einen Kaffee.
I would like a coffee.
hätte = would have (polite request)
2The würde-Form
The "würde" + infinitive construction is the most versatile and commonly used form of Konjunktiv II in modern spoken German. It works for almost any verb and is easy to form. Conjugation of würde: ich würde, du würdest, er/sie/es würde, wir würden, ihr würdet, sie/Sie würden. The infinitive goes to the end of the sentence.
Examples
Ich würde dir helfen, wenn ich Zeit hätte.
I would help you if I had time.
würde + infinitive for main clause
Was würdest du an meiner Stelle tun?
What would you do in my place?
würde in questions
Er würde nie so etwas sagen.
He would never say something like that.
würde for hypothetical statements
Wir würden gerne länger bleiben.
We would like to stay longer.
würden + gerne for polite wishes
3Direct Subjunctive Forms
Some verbs are commonly used in their direct Konjunktiv II form rather than with "würde". The most important are: sein→wäre, haben→hätte, and the modal verbs (können→könnte, müssen→müsste, etc.). These forms are derived from the simple past (Präteritum) with an umlaut added where possible. They sound more natural than the würde-alternative for these common verbs.
Examples
Wenn ich du wäre...
If I were you...
wäre (not: würde sein)
Ich hätte eine Frage.
I would have a question.
hätte (not: würde haben)
Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen?
Could you please help me?
könnten - polite request
Ich müsste jetzt eigentlich gehen.
I really should go now.
müsste - softened obligation
4Conditional Sentences (If-Clauses)
Conditional sentences in German follow the pattern: Wenn + Konjunktiv II in the if-clause, Konjunktiv II (often with würde) in the main clause. The wenn-clause can come first or second. The verb in the wenn-clause goes to the end. If the wenn-clause comes first, the main clause starts with the verb (inversion).
Examples
Wenn ich mehr Geld hätte, würde ich ein Auto kaufen.
If I had more money, I would buy a car.
Wenn-clause first → inversion in main clause
Ich würde kommen, wenn ich Zeit hätte.
I would come if I had time.
Main clause first, wenn-clause second
Wenn es nicht regnen würde, könnten wir spazieren gehen.
If it weren't raining, we could go for a walk.
Both clauses use Konjunktiv II
Was würdest du tun, wenn du im Lotto gewinnen würdest?
What would you do if you won the lottery?
Hypothetical question
5Expressing Wishes and Polite Requests
Konjunktiv II is essential for polite German. Using it softens requests and makes statements less direct. Common constructions include "hätte gerne" (would like to have), "würde gerne" (would like to), and "könnte" (could). For unfulfilled wishes, use "Wenn ... nur/doch" with Konjunktiv II to express "If only..."
Examples
Ich hätte gerne ein Stück Kuchen.
I would like a piece of cake.
hätte gerne for ordering
Würden Sie bitte das Fenster öffnen?
Would you please open the window?
würden Sie for polite requests
Wenn ich nur mehr Zeit hätte!
If only I had more time!
Wenn...nur for wishes
Könntest du mir einen Gefallen tun?
Could you do me a favor?
könntest for polite questions