Subjunctive mood in German. Subjunctive (conditional) mood – Konjunktiv Present tense Konjunktiv I
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First, let's figure out what inclination is. Mood is a category of verb that expresses the attitude of an action, event or state to reality.
This relationship is established by the subject of speech (the speaker). To express a real action that has happened, is happening or will happen, the indicative is used. (indicative).
If the subject of speech perceives an action as possible under certain circumstances, then to convey this possibility, he uses the subjunctive. (conjunctive). Imperative (imperative) is used to call, request, motivate or command. Knock in German (German) it is used according to the same rules as in Russian.
Indicative mood in German
Indicative incl. in him. language has three tenses: past, present and future. Moreover, there are 3 past tenses, and two future tenses.
- The past tense includes:
- imperfect (Präterirum) – Ich war gestern im Theater.
- perfect (Perfekt) – Ich bin gestern im Theater gewesen.
- plusquamperfekt – Ich war vorgestern im Theater gewesen.
Let's celebrate! You can read more about the meanings, formation and use of these tenses in the relevant articles on our website.
All possible meanings of the present tense in the indicative tense. expresses Präsens.
- Ich gehe gerade ins Theater.
- Ich gehe mehrmals wöchentlich ins Theater.
- Die Erde geht um die Sonne herum.
As for the forms (fm) of the future tense, there are two of them:
- Futurum I – Ich werde ein Theaterabonnement für nächstes Jahr kaufen.
- Futurum II (little used f-ma) - Ich werde ein Theaterabonnement für nächstes Jahr gekauft haben.
You can also read about the features and subtleties of using these verb phrases in separate articles.
Subjunctive mood in German
Used to express desired or possible actions. This is incl. often causes difficulties for native Russian speakers, since German. language has 2 different subjunctive moods.
What we are accustomed to understand by the subjunctive mood as such is in it. language Konjunktiv II.
- Ich würde gern mit dir ins Theater gehen, (wenn du Lust hättest.)
- Ich wäre gestern gern mit dir ins Theater gegangen.
There is also a f-ma Konjunktiv I, which in our understanding is not a subjunctive clause, since it refers to a very real action, but conveyed from the words of third parties.
- Er sagt, er gehe mehrmals wöchentlich ins Theater.
- Er sagte, er sei gestern ins Theater gegangen.
Imperative mood in German
Expresses a demand, request, call to action or order. There are 3 imperatives:
- to contact you: Komm! Warte!
- for polite address to you: Kommen Sie! Warten Sie!
- to address multiple persons: Kommt! Wartet!
For the call addressed to the 1st l. plural, i.e. to the pronoun we, f-ma is used with the verb lassen:
- Lass uns in die Disko gehen! – if only two people are meant.
- Lasst uns heute zusammen arbeiten! – if more than two people are meant.
The infinitive is usually used to express impersonal instructions:
- Bitte zurückbleiben! – landing is over! (in transport).
To give a strict order that must be carried out immediately, the participle form can be used:
- Hiergeblieben! Aufgemacht!
Since sentences with an imperative sound somewhat categorical, and sometimes even rude, German speakers often avoid it in speech, using questions or other verbal phrases instead.
- Geben Sie mir bitte ihre Visitenkarte! – Könnten Sie mir bitter ihre Visitenkarte
Source: http://deutsch-sprechen.ru/inclination/
Possessing five main grammatical categories, the modern German verb has, along with number (plural or singular), person (one of three), tense (present, past, future) and voice (passive, active), also such a dominant as mood.
Actually, the category of mood in the German language is the derivation of a kind of specific grammatical correspondence in relation to the category of modality according to the semantic type (reality, assumption, hypothesis, desire, unreality, motivation, etc.). At the same time, this grammatical category forms an integral system in the German language, which includes three forms of mood: indicative (Indikativ), imperative (Imperativ), and subjunctive (Konjunktiv).
Verbs in modern German are used in the indicative mood if the speaker’s goal is to designate any action existing in reality that has occurred, is occurring, or is planned to occur in a certain period of time (in the present - Ich be suche oft meine Freunde., in past - Ich begegnetesieauf der Straße.. ., as well as the future - Ich hole dich ab.). In view of the indicated characteristics, German verbs of the indicative mood differ in tenses - (ich) frage - fragte - ich werde fragen
In turn, the subjunctive mood Konjunktiv will no longer serve to express reality, but to convey the possibility or desire to perform a particular action - Hätte ich Zeit, so käme ich zu Freunden. (opportunity). Wenn ich mehr Chancen hätte, führe ich nach Amerika (desire) Another case of the use of the subjunctive mood in German is the possibility of expressing a wish. — Wüsste ich bloss ihre Adresse! If we are talking about covering possible or desirable events in the past, then in the German subjunctive mood the emphasis will be on the fact that certain actions simply cannot happen anymore, relating to the past. — Es wäre besser gewesen, wir hätten vorher mit ihr gesprochen. ( but we didn't talk)
At the same time, if we talk about the formative potential of German verbs in Konjunktiv, then it should be noted that the subjunctive mood has the same tense forms as units in Indikativ. Thus, the present subjunctive (Präsens Konjunktiv) is formed according to the following scheme: the stem of the infinitive + the suffix -e + personal inflection, and the vowel at the root does not undergo any changes - ersag-e -dusag-e-st;ergeb-e -dugeb-e-st. The exception here is mainly the forms of the first, as well as the third person singular, when you can see the merging of the personal ending of the verb with its suffix, as a result of which the doubling of the consonant does not occur. If we are talking about the simple past tense of the subjunctive mood in relation to weak verbs of the German language, then there is a coincidence with the Präteritum of the indicative mood ( gelehrt(removed label) - gelehrt(würde - ref. incl.)). As for the group of strong verbs, they form the subjunctive mood from the base Präteritum Indicative by adding the suffix -e, and in addition the personal inflections Präteritum, while the vowels (u, o, a) take the umlaut at the root. — fahren - führe. The so-called irregular verbs, whose Präteritum Konjunktiv forms are not formed according to the general pattern, are also considered separately. — stehen— stände; sein-ware; gehen— ginge etc. In German verbs in the subjunctive mood, both the forms Perfekt and Plusquamperfekt and others are formed in a special way, the details of which seem more appropriate to be considered in a separate article.
To express requests or even orders and commands, verbs in German are put in the imperative form (Imperative), where the verb is always placed first, and the subject is always the pronoun Sie(if it exists) . - Rufe mich morgen an! (order). Achten Sie bitte auf diese Folge! (request).
The following four imperative forms of verbs are currently most widespread: second-person singular, first-person plural, second-person plural, as well as its polite form. — (du) arbeite - arbeiten (wir) - arbeitet (ihr) - arbeiten Sie.
It seems possible to form the imperative mood in the German language using the infinitive ( Nicht aus dem Turen Offen!), a number of grammatical constructions also have the potential for this: haben/sein + infinitive and zu; modal verb with infinitive - Menschen müssen die Umwelt vor Verschmutzung schützen. etc.
So, to express the relationship of this or that action to reality in the German language there is such a verbal category as mood, which has the meaning: reality - der Indikativ, motivation - der Imperativ or unreality - der Konjunktiv.
German subjunctive mood can be compared in a generalized form with the Russian form, expressed by a verb in the past tense and a particle "would", eg: I would go if he could, we would have found out about this sooner and so on.
However, the formation and use of the subjunctive mood in German is much more complex. Let's look at the most commonly used forms.
1. To express the desired action in the present or future tense, the German form is used Präteritum Konjunktiv.
If only it were summer now!
Wenn jetzt Sommer wäre! = Wäre jetzt Sommer!
If only we had more time tomorrow!
Wenn wir morgen mehr Zeit hätten! = Hätten wir morgen mehr Zeit!
If only he would go on vacation with us!
Wenn er mit uns Urlaub machte! = Machte er mit uns Urlaub! (nicht so oft).
If only she didn't need a car tomorrow!
Wenn sie morgen das Auto nicht bräuchte! = Bräuchte sie morgen das Auto nicht! (nicht so oft).
A) Shape Konjunktiv of simple verbs coincides with the form Präteritum.
Wenn ich lernte, wenn du maltest, wenn wir sagten.
Attention: Wenn er brauchte!
B) U strong verbs umlaut of root vowels and personal endings are added (except for 3 l. units).
Wenn ich läse, wenn er käme, wenn wir gingen, wenn sie trüge.
WITH) Modal verbs (except wollen and sollen) umlaut of root vowels is added.
Wenn ich könnte, wenn er wollte, wenn wir müssten, wenn ich möchte.
2. An alternative form of expressing the conditional mood for expressing the desired action is the Konditional form.
It is formed using the auxiliary verb werden in the form Präteritum and infinitive of the main verb.
ich würde sagen | I would say | wir würden kommen | we would come |
du würdest fragen | you should have asked | ihr würdet gehen | would you go |
er | sie würden verstehen | they would understand | |
sie würde sehen | he would have seen | ||
es | Sie würden erklären | would you explain |
The Konditional form is very common in German and replaces others when possible.
3. To express a desired or almost accomplished action in the past, the German form is most often used Plusquamperfekt Konjunktiv.
Ich wäre gestern mit Vergnügen Traktor gefahren.
I would have loved to ride a tractor yesterday.
Beinahe wäre das Heu nass geworden.
The hay was almost wet.
Hätte er besser aufgepasst, wäre das nicht passiert.
If he had been more careful, this would not have happened.
4. The form Präsens Konjunktiv is used mainly to express indirect speech.
Dad said he would be late at work.
Papa sagte, er bleibe länger bei der Arbeit = Papa sagte, er würde länger bei der Arbeit bleiben.
Exercises / ÜBUNGEN
1. Identify the Konjunktiv form and the tense it expresses. Insert appropriate tenses.
1. Wenn ich in der Deutschprüfung nicht durchgefallen wäre!
2. Wenn alle Praktikanten ohne Verspätung kämen!
3. Wenn meine Oma die Kühe nicht von Hand melken müsste!
4. Hätten wir mehr Geld investieren können!
5. Wenn wir beim Melken aufgepasst hätten!
6. Wenn ich die Antwort auf meine Bewerbung erhielte!
7. Wenn ich mehr Taschengeld bekommen hätte!
8. Wenn die Kühe nicht auf die Weide gegangen wären!
9. Wenn der Käse zum Reifen nicht so lange bräuchte!
vor der Reise, in den nächsten Tagen, gestern, immer, jetzt, vorhin, letzte Woche, heute, letztes Jahr
2. Express your desire to do the same.
Mein Bruder macht zur Zeit Traktorführerschein.(Ich)
→ Ich würde auch gern Traktorführerschein machen!
1. Unsere Nachbarn essen nur Bio-Produkte.(Meine Familie)
2. Erik bekommt viel Taschengeld (ihr).
3. Frau Kaas kann Käse selber machen (meine Schwester).
4. Anna trinkt jeden Morgen frischgepressten Orangensaft (du).
5. Ihr habt viel Zeit zum Lesen (wir).
6. Sie kann eine Kuh von Hand melken (ich).
7. Du hast keine Angst vor Prüfungen (meine Freundin).
8. Dein Bruder studiert Tiermedizin (du).
9. Mittags essen die Bauern manchmal im Feld.
10. Meine Freunde machen bald eine Weltreise.
11. Klaus hat viel Geld.
3. Imagine yourself as a peasant woman in the following story.
Die Bäuerin war den ganzen Tag unterwegs. Als sie nach Hause kam, stellte sie fest, dass ihr Mann nichts gemacht hat: die Kinder haben Hunger, die Tiere sind nicht gefüttert, der Rasen ist nicht gemäht, die Kühe sind nicht gemolken, die Butter ist nicht geschlagen…
Sie schimpft: Du hättest die Kinder versorgen sollen! ...
Duhättest…!
Continue her possible reproaches.
4. Make up similar short dialogues.
Mein Kuchen ist fertig.
a) Wer möchte meinen Kuchen essen? Möchtest du ihn essen?
b) Nein, ich möchte ihn nicht essen.
1. Der Traktor ist beschädigt (reparieren).
2. Die Landschaft ist malerisch (fotografieren).
3. Die Milch ist sauer (trinken).
4. Der Lehrer ist immer noch nicht da (ihn holen).
5. Der Bulle ist angebunden (losbinden).
6. Der selbstgemachte Käse ist reif (probieren).
7. Die Kühe sind im Stall (melken).
8. Gleich gibt es Gewitter (rausgehen).
9. Das Unkraut ist gewachsen (jäten).
10. Der Nachbar ist mit seinem Auto in den Graben gefahren (rausholen).
5. Dream a little.
Wenn ich viel Geld hätte, hätte ich mir eine Insel gekauft.
Wenn ich Newton gekannt hätte,…
Wenn ich zaubern könnte, …
Wenn ich in London leben würde, …
Wenn ich eine Antwort auf jede Frage wüsste, …
Wenn ich ein Sprachgenie wäre, …
6. Answer the questions based on information from.
1. Wie viele Kühe hat der Betrieb von Antje?
2. Hat man mit Kühen viel Arbeit?
3. Was bedeutet .Laufstallhaltung. ?
4. Wie sieht ein Stall bei einer Laufstallhaltung aus?
5. Wie erfolgt ein Melkprozess in Antjes Betrieb?
6. Ist Antjes Betrieb mit einem vollautomatischen Melksystem ausgestattet?
7. Aus wessen Milch wird der meiste Käse hergestellt?
8. Welche Komponente werden für die Käseherstellung gebraucht?
9. Was ist Käsebruch?
10. Wie lange muss Käse reifen?
First, let's figure out what inclination is. Mood is a category of verb that expresses the attitude of an action, event or state to reality. This relationship is established by the subject of speech (the speaker). To express a real action that has happened, is happening or will happen, the indicative is used. (indicative). If the subject of speech perceives an action as possible under certain circumstances, then to convey this possibility, he uses the subjunctive. (conjunctive). Imperative (imperative) is used to call, request, motivate or command.
Knock in German (German) it is used according to the same rules as in Russian.
Indicative mood in German
Indicative incl. in him. language has three tenses: past, present and future. Moreover, there are 3 past tenses, and two future tenses.
- The past tense includes:
- imperfect (Präterirum) – Ich war gestern im Theater.
- perfect (Perfekt) – Ich bin gestern im Theater gewesen.
- plusquamperfekt (Plusquamperfekt) – Ich war vorgestern im Theater gewesen.
You can read more about the meanings, formation and use of these tenses in the relevant articles on our website.
All possible meanings of the present tense in the indicative tense. expresses Präsens.
Ich gehe gerade ins Theater.
Ich gehe mehrmals wöchentlich ins Theater.
Die Erde geht um die Sonne herum.
As for the forms (fm) of the future tense, there are two of them:
- Futurum I – Ich werde ein Theaterabonnement für nächstes Jahr kaufen.
- Futurum II (little used f-ma) - Ich werde ein Theaterabonnement für nächstes Jahr gekauft haben.
You can also read about the features and subtleties of using these verb phrases in separate articles.
Subjunctive mood in German
used to express desired or possible actions. This is incl. often causes difficulties for native Russian speakers, since German. language has 2 different subjunctive moods. What we are accustomed to understand by the subjunctive mood as such is in it. language Konjunktiv II.
Ich würde gern mit dir ins Theater gehen, (wenn du Lust hättest.)
Ich wäre gestern gern mit dir ins Theater gegangen.
There is also the phrase Konjunktiv I, which in our understanding is not a subjunctive clause, since it deals with a very real action, but conveyed from the words of third parties.
Er sagt, er gehe mehrmals wöchentlich ins Theater.
Er sagte, er sei gestern ins Theater gegangen.
Imperative mood in German
expresses a demand, request, call to action or order. There are 3 imperatives:
- to contact you: Komm! Warte!
- for polite address to you: Kommen Sie! Warten Sie!
- to address multiple persons: Kommt! Wartet!
For the call addressed to the 1st l. plural, i.e. to the pronoun we, f-ma is used with the verb lassen:
Lass uns in die Disko gehen! – if only two people are meant.
Lasst uns heute zusammen arbeiten! – if more than two people are meant.
The infinitive is usually used to express impersonal instructions:
Bitte zurückbleiben! – landing is over! (in transport).
To give a strict order that must be carried out immediately, the participle form can be used:
Hiergeblieben! Aufgemacht!
Since sentences with an imperative sound somewhat categorical, and sometimes even rude, German speakers often avoid it in speech, using questions or other verbal phrases instead.
Geben Sie mir bitte ihre Visitenkarte! – Könnten Sie mir bitter ihre Visitenkarte
In German, as in Russian, there are three moods: indicative (der Indikativ), imperative (der Imperative) and subjunctive (der Konjunktiv). The verb forms discussed above belong to the indicative mood. Now let's meet others.
Imperative Mood (Der Imperativ)
In the imperative mood, the verb is used in the following forms, depending on who the request or order is addressed to:
- addressing one person (using “you”) - 2nd person singular form, for example: Mach(e)! Komm! Hor zu! This form of the imperative mood is formed from the stem of the initial form of the verb without a special ending. Only verbs whose stems end in -t, -d, -ig, -fn, -chn have the ending -e for ease of pronunciation.
2. Addressing several persons with “you” coincides with the form of the 2nd person plural Präsens, compare:
The formation of the 1st person plural is similar, compare:
Reflexive verbs retain the reflexive pronoun.
Modal verbs are not used in Imperativ. But they can be used in structures like: Wollen wir gehen! Lets go!
Subjunctive mood (Der Konjunktiv)
The subjunctive mood is used if the speaker considers the action to be expected, possible, desirable, or speaks about it from hearsay. The German verb conjugation system in Konjunktiv is quite complex. It should be noted, however, that only a few forms are actually used in speech. It is important to know that in German there are forms: Konjunktiv I, Konjunktiv II and the descriptive construction würde + Infinitiv.
Konjunktiv I is also called the conjunctive of indirect speech and is used to convey someone else’s statement, compare the following two statements:
Indicative− Er sagt: “Ich helfe ihnen.” Konjunktiv I− Er sagt, er helfe ihnen. Konjunktiv II also called the unreal conjunctive, since it is used to express unreal conditions, desires, actions:
Indicative− Er ist gesund. Er kann verreisen. Konjunktiv II − Wenn er gesund wäre, könnte er verreisen. The system of personal endings in Konjunktiv I and Konjunktiv II is the same:
Konjunktiv I is formed from the stem Infinitiv, and Konjunktiv II is formed from the stem Imperfekt. Let's look at this using the verb haben as an example:
In everyday speech, Konjunktiv II often replaces forms of Konjunktiv I that coincide with Präsens Indikativ, for example: Ich sagte, ich gehe zur Schule. (Konjunktiv I). Ich sagte, ich ginge zur Schule. (Konjunktiv II).
That's why we'll start with it.
Konjunktiv II
Konjunktiv II has two temporary forms:
Present tense | Past tense |
er führe | er wäre gefahren |
er läse | er hätte gelesen |
Now let's look at the formation of past tense forms Konjunktiv P.
The three Indikativ past tense forms correspond to one Konjunktiv II past tense form, which is formed using the Konjunktiv II auxiliary verb and the Partizip II main verb. For example:
Es wäre viel besser gewesen, wenn wir vorher mit ihm gesprochen hätten. Wenn ich gestern Zeit gehabt hätte, wäre ich zu dir gekommen.
Since most German verbs are inflected according to the rules, but some of them are irregular and their forms in different tenses differ from ordinary verbs, we will offer them to you - this is a table of irregular verbs and their transformation in time. You can find it at the end of the course.
So, let's summarize some results. Of course, the verb in German is quite complex, but with a little effort on your part you can easily find a common language with it. And the last thing that can be said about the German verb. We cannot tell you all the intricacies of the German language, since it is very vast and multifaceted. Our goal was to help you remember what you already knew, introduce something new, and most importantly, get you interested in learning the German language. At this point we will finish studying grammar and walk through some German lands, see what is interesting and educational about them.