Subjunctive I
Subjunctive I (Konjunktiv I) is primarily used for indirect speech (reported speech) in formal German, especially in newspapers and news reports.
It indicates that you're reporting what someone else said, not stating it as fact yourself.
This lesson covers how to form and use Subjunctive I in German.
Explanation
Subjunctive I is formed by adding specific endings to the verb stem: ich lerne, du lernest, er/sie/es lerne, wir lernen, ihr lernet, sie lernen.
In practice, Subjunctive I often looks identical to present tense, so Subjunctive II is sometimes used instead for clarity.
Subjunctive I is used in indirect speech: 'Er sagte, er lerne Deutsch' (He said he learns German).
It's commonly found in formal writing, especially news reports and academic texts.
Subjunctive I Conjugation
| Subject | lernen | sein | haben | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | lerne | sei | habe | I learn/am/have |
| du | lernest | seiest | habest | You learn/are/have |
| er/sie/es | lerne | sei | habe | He/she/it learns/is/has |
| wir | lernen | seien | haben | We learn/are/have |
| ihr | lernet | seiet | habet | You learn/are/have |
| sie | lernen | seien | haben | They learn/are/have |
Examples
Er sagte, er lerne Deutsch.
He said he learns German. (indirect speech)
Sie meinte, sie sei müde.
She said she is tired. (indirect speech)
Er behauptete, er habe es nicht getan.
He claimed he didn't do it. (indirect speech)
Common Mistakes
Er sagte, er lernt Deutsch
Er sagte, er lerne Deutsch
In indirect speech, use Subjunctive I: 'lerne', not 'lernt' (present tense).
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.