Konjunktiv I is a grammatical form mainly used in reported speech (Indirekte Rede), commands, and certain special structures.
Konjunktiv I is often found in journalism, official texts, or reported speech.

1. How to form Konjunktiv I in the present tense (Präsens)

Konjunktiv I is formed from the infinitive stem (Infinitiv) but with some changes to the verb endings.

ℹ️ Formula

Formula

Verbstamm + -e, -est, -e, -en, -et, -en

Conjugation table for "sein" (to be) in Konjunktiv I:

Person	Konjunktiv I (sein)
Ich	sei
Du	seiest
Er/sie/es	sei
Wir	seien
Ihr	seiet
Sie/sie	seien

Conjugation table for a regular verb ("machen") in Konjunktiv I:

Person	machen (to do)
Ich	mache
Du	machest
Er/sie/es	mache
Wir	machen
Ihr	machet
Sie/sie	machen

Note:

Konjunktiv I only differs from the present tense (Präsens) in the er/sie/es person.
Regular verbs keep their stem unchanged in most persons.
Konjunktiv I is mainly used in reported speech (Indirekte Rede).

Example:

Er sagt, er sei müde.
(He says that he is tired.)

Sie meint, sie habe keine Zeit.
(She thinks that she has no time.)

2. How to form Konjunktiv I in the past tense (Perfekt)

Formed with the auxiliary verb "haben" or "sein" in Konjunktiv I + Partizip II.

ℹ️ Formula

Formula

habe/sei + Partizip II

Example:

Er sagt, er habe gearbeitet.
(He says that he worked.)

Sie sagt, sie sei nach Berlin gefahren.
(She says that she went to Berlin.)

Note:

"Haben" is used with most verbs.
"Sein" is used with verbs of movement or change of state.

3. How to form Konjunktiv I in the future tense (Futur I & Futur II)

🔹 3.1. Future tense I (Futur I)

ℹ️ Formula

Formula

werde + Infinitiv

Example:

Er sagt, er werde kommen.
(He says that he will come.)

🔹 3.2. Future tense II (Futur II)

ℹ️ Formula

Formula

werde + Partizip II + haben/sein

Example:

Er sagt, er werde die Arbeit beendet haben.
(He says that he will have finished the work.)

Note:

Use "haben" or "sein" depending on the main verb.
Commonly found in official texts or journalism.

4. Konjunktiv I in the imperative mood (Imperativ mit Konjunktiv I)

Konjunktiv I can be used instead of the imperative (Imperativ) in formal style or in official texts.

ℹ️ Formula

Formula

Subjekt + Konjunktiv I (3. Person Singular oder Plural)

Example:

Er gehe sofort nach Hause!
(Let him go home immediately!)

Es lebe der König!
(Long live the king!)

Note:

Usually appears in formal texts or slogans.
Not common in everyday conversation.

5. Konjunktiv I in questions (Fragen mit Konjunktiv I)

Konjunktiv I can be used in indirect questions, especially in polite style.

Example:

Wissen Sie, wann er komme?
(Do you know when he is coming?)

Könnten Sie mir sagen, wo die Post sei?
(Could you tell me where the post office is?)

Note:

This form makes the question more formal.

🎯 6. Summary

Tense	Formula
Present (Präsens)	Konjunktiv I of the verb (z.B. sei, habe, mache)
Past (Perfekt)	habe/sei + Partizip II
Future I (Futur I)	werde + Infinitiv
Future II (Futur II)	werde + Partizip II + haben/sein
Imperative (Imperativ)	Konjunktiv I (z.B. Er gehe, Es lebe der König!)
Questions (Fragen)	Wissen Sie, wann er komme?

ℹ️ Exercise

Practice exercises

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📝 B1 Exercise Overview

Practice B1 grammar structures through detailed exercises.

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