Emotions in German Grammar: The Subjunctive in Everyday Life
Many German learners are afraid of grammar, especially the subjunctive. It sounds complicated and knowing when to use Subjunctive I or Subjunctive II can be challenging for non-native speakers. However, the subjunctive allows us to express wishes, politeness, and doubts. It not only shows what someone is thinking but also how they are feeling. In a sense, the subjunctive is the ‘Grammar of Emotions’. Our blog gives a brief overview of the feeling behind each subjunctive.
The subjunctive expressing doubt
You may use the subjunctive when you are not sure whether something is true or when you want to avoid giving your own opinion. In such cases, you may not want to say that you believe something; you may only want to repeat what someone else has said. This is especially true in news reports, where the aim is to provide neutral coverage.
This is called Indirect Speech. This is where the subjunctive comes into play: it allows you to express distance or doubt. It helps you remain neutral and shows that you are not endorsing the statement.
Examples:
- Der Angeklagte sagte, er sei unschuldig.
- Sie meinte, sie habe keine Zeit.
- Er sagte, er sei pünktlich da.
The Subjunctive I is formed from the present tense stem of the verb[1] by adding the following endings:
- Ich: -e
- Du: -est
- Er/Sie/Es: -e
- Wir: -en
- Ihr: -et
- Sie: -en
[1] The present tense ( „Gegenwartsform“) describes current situations. Example: „Ich esse.“ (derived from the verb „essen“). „Ich habe Zeit.“ (derived from the verb „haben“).
The subjunctive expressing a wish
We often use the subjunctive when expressing a wish. This makes the language sound softer, more cautious, or dreamier. In this case, the Subjunctive II is used. It is formed from the past tense stem of the verb[2] with endings such as -e, -est, -e, -en, -et, or -en added. With strong verbs, an ‘Umlaut’ (ä, ö, or ü) is often added.
Examples:
- Ich wünschte, ich hätte mehr Zeit.
- Wenn ich doch besser Deutsch sprechen könnte!
- Es wäre schön, wenn du kämst.
All three sentences describe something that does not (yet) exist but is emotionally significant. They express longing, hope, or regret. The derivations with “would be” (from the verb “to be”) or “would have” (from the verb “to have”) are typical subjunctive forms.
[2] The past tense (“Vergangenheitsform”) describes actions that took place in the past and are complete. Examples: “Sie lernte gestern (derived from the verb “lernen”. “Es war schön.” (derived from the verb “sein“).
The subjunctive expressing politeness
Although Germans are known for their directness, being too direct can quickly come across as unfriendly, depending on the social context. That's why many people use the subjunctive to speak more politely. Here, too, we use the Subjunctive II.
Examples:
- Ich hätte gerne einen Kaffee.
- Könnten Sie morgen etwas länger bleiben?
- Ich würde mich freuen, wenn Du dein Zimmer aufräumst.
Grammatically speaking, these are not genuine requests, but rather polite forms of requests or suggestions. Saying "I want a coffee" quickly sounds like an order. The phrase "I would like..." comes across as friendly, respectful, and calm.
Using the subjunctive shows consideration. It softens the language and is a sign of social tact.
The subjunctive expressing irony
People sometimes use the subjunctive ironically. This means they say one thing but mean the opposite, often accompanied by a slight smile. In this case, Subjunctive II is used.
Examples:
- Das wäre ja mal eine tolle Idee! (→ meaning the opposite)
- Du könntest vielleicht mal dein Zimmer aufräumen! (→ expressing an accusation)
- Das hätte ich mir denken können! (→ expressing anger)
You can also use the subjunctive to express irony, humor, or annoyance. However, this requires a good feel for the language - and quite a bit of experience.
The quiet voice of emotions
You may use the subjunctive to express what should be read between the lines. It shows whether someone is dreaming, being polite, expressing doubt, or speaking ironically. In German grammar, you could say that the subjunctive is the ‘quiet voice of emotions’.
Would you like to further improve your German language skills? On our blog, you will find more interesting articles about the German language and life in Germany.
