Konjunktiv II: höfliche Bitte & Wunsch (polite requests and wishes)

If you want to use polite language in German instead of giving a direct order when you ask for something, Konjunktiv II is just what you need. This structure softens your requests and makes you sound more courteous. Instead of "Kannst du mir helfen?" you say "Könntest du mir helfen?" (Could you help me?); in formal situations "Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen?" is much more appropriate. In the same way, instead of "Ich will" you will often come across patterns in everyday life such as "Ich hätte gern einen Kaffee" (I'd like a coffee) or "Würden Sie das Fenster öffnen?" (Would you open the window?). With "wäre" you can also say "Das wäre nett" (That would be kind).

The key to this structure is knowing which polite pattern to choose in which situation: "könnten" when you ask for help, "würden" when you make a request, "hätte gern" when you order. The exercise practises these patterns in real scenes such as a restaurant, asking for directions and making requests; if you choose wrongly, a short note shows you why the situation calls for a different form. It is good rehearsal if you want to feel at ease in a restaurant, at an information desk or when asking a neighbour for a favour. Polite language is expected in the speaking section of Goethe-Zertifikat A2 and telc Deutsch A2; making these patterns your own feeds directly into your score. With each round you will notice that your German sounds a little more natural and a little more polite.