Explanation
What is Konjunktiv II?
In German, the Konjunktiv II is used to talk about things that are not real, such as dreams, wishes, and hypothetical situations. It is also the primary way to make polite requests. At the A2 level, we focus on the most common way to form it: using the auxiliary verb würde (would) combined with an infinitive.
The "würde" + Infinitive Structure
For most verbs, you use a conjugated form of werden in its subjunctive form (würde) and place the other verb at the very end of the sentence in its basic infinitive form. This is very similar to how we say "would [verb]" in English. For example, to say "I would rent a car," you say "Ich würde ein Auto mieten."
Special Verbs: Sein and Haben
Some very common verbs do not usually use the "würde" construction. Instead, they have their own special forms. The most important ones for you to know are sein (to be), which becomes wäre (would be), and haben (to have), which becomes hätte (would have). These forms are used directly without "würde".
Politeness and Wishes
You will often hear Konjunktiv II when people are being polite. Instead of saying "I want," Germans say "Ich hätte gern..." (I would like to have) or "Ich würde gern..." (I would like to [do something]). It is also used with the verb wünschen (to wish) to express things you want to happen but aren't happening right now.
Reference Tables
| Person | würde (would) | hätte (would have) | wäre (would be) |
|---|---|---|---|
| ich | würde | hätte | wäre |
| du | würdest | hättest | wärest |
| er/sie/es | würde | hätte | wäre |
| wir | würden | hätten | wären |
| ihr | würdet | hättet | wärt |
| sie/Sie | würden | hätten | wären |
Examples
Ich würde gerne ein schönes Auto mieten.
I would like to rent a nice car.
Ich würde dir gerne ein Buch schenken, wenn ich Geld hätte.
I would like to give you a book if I had money.
Wir würden uns sehr freuen, wenn du uns besuchst.
We would be very happy if you visit us.
Ich würde die Hemden bügeln, aber ich habe keine Zeit.
I would iron the shirts, but I don't have time.
Ich wünschte, wir würden jetzt nach Berlin hinfahren.
I wish we would drive to Berlin now.
Common Mistakes
Verbs like 'haben' and 'sein' use their own subjunctive forms (hätte/wäre) instead of the 'würde' helper.
In the 'würde' construction, the main verb (infinitive) must go to the very end of the sentence.
Don't forget the Umlaut (ü)! 'Wurde' is past tense (became), while 'würde' is subjunctive (would).