How do you use the conditional tense in German?

Konjunktiv II (also known as the subjunctive II) is a verb form which can be used for conditional statements, to express uncertainty, contrary-to-fact statements and polite requests.
To use Konjunktiv II in the present tense, we use [würde + infinitive]. For example, "Ich würde essen" (I would eat).
To use Konjunktiv II in the past tense, we use the subjunctive form of "haben" and "sein" ("hätten" and "wären") and the past participle of the main verb. For example, "Ich habe Deutsch gelernt" (I have learnt German) becomes "Ich hätte Deutsch gelernt" (I would have learnt German).OR "Ich bin nach Amerika gefahren" (I have flown to America) becomes "Ich wäre nach Amerika gefahren" (I would have flown to America.
Remember - we use "sein" (thus "wären") when the verb indicates movement or a change in a state of being.

EM
Answered by Ellie M. German tutor

2243 Views

See similar German GCSE tutors

Related German GCSE answers

All answers ▸

When do we use haben and when sein with the perfect.


What is the best way to prepare for the speaking exam?


Was machst du gern in deiner Freizeit?


Explain the use of Imperfekt and Perfekt, and give one example each.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

© MyTutorWeb Ltd 2013–2025

Terms & Conditions|Privacy Policy
Cookie Preferences