Conjunctiv II is the form of the verb that you use to create the suppositional mode in English. As in Polish, you use it to express:
- conditional sentences,
- wishes,
- polite sentences,
- giving advice.
Conditional sentences
We most often use Konjunktiv II to create conditional sentences. Then we talk about situations that could happen if a condition were met: the so-called “ifs.”
Note that if you use the conjunct wenn (if), you should follow it with the final array. This means that you must move the verb to the very end of the sentence, e.g. “Wenn sie sich beeilen würde” (If she had hurried), “Wenn er pünktlich gewesen wäre” (If he had been punctual). Instead, start the next part of the sentence after the comma with the verb in the first place. Now you’re ready to build conditional sentences. Look at the following examples:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Wenn du hier wohnen würdest, wärst du jetzt zu Hause. | If you lived here, you would be home now. |
| Hätte ich mehr Zeit, würde ich dir helfen. | If I had more time, I would help you. |
| Sie wären entspannter, wenn sie Urlaub machen würden. | They would be more relaxed if they went on vacation. |
| Du würdest besser aussehen, wenn du dir die Haare kämmen würdest. | You would look better if you combed your hair. |
| Wenn er pünktlich gewesen wäre, würde er jetzt im Zug sitzen. | If he had been punctual, he would be sitting on the train right now. |
| Sie hätten mehr Spaß, wenn sie sich weniger beklagen würden. | They would have had more fun if they had complained less. |
| Ich habe einen Ring von meiner Großmutter verloren. Wenn ihn nur jemand finden könnte, würde ich viel dafür bezahlen. | I lost a ring from my grandmother. If only someone could find it, I would pay a lot for it. |
Expressing wishes
Konjunktiv II is also used to express wishes. You can use the phrase “ich wünschte…” (I would like/want…) for this.
Such sentences often use the doch participle, which cannot be clearly translated into English. Its function is to add additional emotional coloring to the sentence. It can express hope, regret or frustration over an unrealized wish. Look at the following examples:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Ich wünschte, ich hätte Urlaub! | I would love to have a vacation! |
| Ich wünschte, ich hätte viel Geld. | I would like to have a lot of money. |
| Hier ist es so dunkel. Wäre es hier doch nicht so dunkel! | It is so dark here. If only it wasn’t so dark here! |
| Er hat sie nicht geheiratet. Hätte er sie doch nur geheiratet! | He did not marry her. If only he had married her! |
| Der Zug fährt so spät ab. Würde er doch nur früher abfahren! | The train leaves so late. If only it would leave earlier! |
| Die Playstation ist so teuer. Wenn sie doch nur etwas billiger wäre! | The Playstation is so expensive. If only it were a little cheaper! |
| Es regnet den ganzen Tag. Hätten wir doch nur schönes Wetter! | It has been raining all day. If only we had nice weather! |
| Er kommt immer so spät. Wenn er heute nur früher kommen würde! | He is always late. If only he had come earlier today! |
Sentences of politeness
In German, as in English, we use the suppositional mode to give our speech a more polite tone. Look at the following examples of polite requests:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| Könntest du mir helfen? Welche Taste sollte ich drücken? | Could you please help me? Which button should I click? |
| Würdest du mir bitte deinen Bleistift leihen? | Could you lend me your pencil? |
| Schön wäre es! | That would be nice! |
| Wir hätten noch eine Frage. | We would have one more question. |
| Wäre dies möglich? | Would it be possible? |
| Würden Sie mir das Salz reichen? | Could you pass me the salt? |
| Würdest du mit mir tauschen? | Could you switch with me? |
| Könnten wir jetzt gehen? | Could we go now? |
Providing advice
The phrase “an deiner Stelle” (in your place) and Konjunktiv II will come in handy when giving advice. See the following examples:
| German | English |
|---|---|
| An ihrer Stelle würde ich das nicht tun. | If I were you, I wouldn’t do it. |
| An deiner Stelle würde ich vorsichtig sein. | I would be careful if I were you. |
| An deiner Stelle würde ich häufiger reisen. | If I were you, I would travel more often. |
| Wenn ich du wäre, würde ich dieses Kleid kaufen. Du siehst wunderschön aus! | If I were you, I would buy this dress. You look beautiful! |
| An deiner Stelle hätte ich schon viel früher angefangen, für diese Prüfung zu lernen. | If I were you, I would start studying for this exam much earlier. |
| Sie ist bei diesen Sachen viel zu oberflächlich. An ihrer Stelle wäre ich dabei gründlich. | She is too superficial when it comes to such things. If I were her, I would be thorough. |
| An deiner Stelle würde ich zu diesem Konzert gehen. | If I were you, I would go to this concert. |
If you are interested in Konjunktiv II, read our articles on how to form Konjunktiv II and on modal verbs in Konjunktiv II.
