B2 · 중상급 챕터 4

Time and Voice in Reported Speech

2 총 규칙
20 예문
5

Chapter in 30 Seconds

Master the art of reporting information neutrally without taking responsibility for the claims.

  • Report past events using the Konjunktiv I Perfect tense.
  • Apply passive voice in indirect speech to maintain objective distance.
  • Identify when to use mixed Konjunktiv to clarify complex reports.
Relay information, stay neutral, sound professional.

배울 내용

Hey friend! Ready to master a super useful skill in German that'll come in handy everywhere? In this chapter, you're going to learn how to report what others say, but *without* making it sound like it's your own statement! You know, just like in English we say, 'He said that...' – German has its own, more nuanced and precise way to do this. Often, you'll need to share news or someone else's words, but you don't want to take responsibility for it, or maybe you're not entirely sure it's true. Think about work: 'The manager *said* the project would be finished next week,' or 'I *heard* prices are going up.' Here, you just want to relay information, not own it. Or imagine news reporters, who constantly use this style to remain neutral and objective. In this chapter, we'll dive into reporting past events ('He *is said to have done* X'). Then, we'll move on to future plans ('She *reports that he will do* Y'). We'll even learn how to professionally report something that happened to an object (for example, 'It *is said that the letter was sent*'). Don't worry, if the 'Konjunktiv I' (our main reporting mood) ever sounds too much like regular speech, we have a clever backup solution called 'Mixed Konjunktiv' to keep things clear! By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to convey what others have said in German, clearly, professionally, and without committing yourself to their statements. No one will be able to say, 'But *you* said that!' because you'll use the right tone and grammar to make it clear: these aren't your words, they're someone else's! Let's jump in and master this practical skill together!

Learning Objectives

By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:

  1. 1
    By the end you will be able to: relay past workplace news using Konjunktiv I Perfect.
  2. 2
    By the end you will be able to: summarize reports or news articles using passive indirect speech.

챕터 가이드

Overview

Welcome, future German reporting pros! This chapter is all about mastering the art of reported speech in German, a skill that adds a layer of sophistication and precision to your language. Ever wanted to share what someone else said without sounding like you're endorsing it?
Or perhaps you need to relay information neutrally, like a journalist, without taking a stance? German offers elegant ways to do just that, moving beyond simple direct quotes to express nuances of belief, certainty, and attribution. This is particularly useful when discussing past events, future plans, or even widespread rumors, allowing you to convey information accurately while distancing yourself from its content.
In this guide, we'll explore how to effectively use the Konjunktiv I, the primary mood for indirect speech in German. We'll cover reporting past actions using the Konjunktiv I Perfect and Pluperfect, and even how to express future intentions. You'll also learn to handle situations where the Konjunktiv I might sound too similar to the indicative, introducing the concept of Mixed Konjunktiv for clarity.
Whether you're discussing a colleague's statement, a news report, or a general belief, this chapter will equip you with the tools to sound fluent, professional, and precise. Get ready to elevate your German reporting skills!

How This Grammar Works

The cornerstone of German reported speech is the Konjunktiv I. Unlike English, where he said that... is fairly standard, German utilizes different verb forms to indicate that the statement originates from someone else. The Konjunktiv I is primarily used to report what someone else has said or thought.
For example, instead of saying
Er sagt, er ist krank
(He says he is sick), you would use the Konjunktiv I:
Er sagt, er sei krank.
This subtle shift in verb form clearly signals that you are reporting someone else's words.
When reporting past events, you'll employ the Konjunktiv I Perfect and Konjunktiv I Pluperfect. For instance, to say
He said he had been there,
you'd use the Konjunktiv I Pluperfect:
Er sagte, er sei dort gewesen.
Reporting future plans can be done using a construction that implies future action within the reported speech, often with the Konjunktiv I of werden. Furthermore, to convey rumors or general beliefs, German employs a passive construction with the Konjunktiv I. For example,
Es wird gesagt, dass...
(It is said that...).
This structure is crucial for maintaining objectivity. Finally, when the Konjunktiv I forms are identical to the indicative, the Mixed Konjunktiv (using Konjunktiv II forms) ensures clarity, preventing ambiguity and maintaining the distinction between direct and indirect speech.

Common Mistakes

  1. 1Wrong:
    Er sagt, er ist müde.
Correct:
Er sagt, er sei müde.
*Explanation:* In reported speech, the Konjunktiv I should be used to indicate that the statement is not your own. The indicative form ist makes it sound like you are stating a fact yourself.
  1. 1Wrong:
    Sie sagte, sie hat das Buch gelesen.
Correct:
Sie sagte, sie habe das Buch gelesen.
*Explanation:* For reporting past actions, the Konjunktiv I Perfect is required. Hat gelesen is the indicative perfect tense; habe gelesen is the Konjunktiv I perfect tense, correctly attributing the action to the speaker being reported.
  1. 1Wrong:
    Man sagt, das Restaurant ist gut.
Correct:
Man sagt, das Restaurant sei gut.
*Explanation:* Even for general statements or beliefs, the Konjunktiv I (sei) is preferred in reported speech to convey that this is a reported opinion or fact, not necessarily a universally accepted truth or your own assertion.
  1. 1Wrong:
    Er sagte, er komme morgen.
    (If komme sounds like the indicative)
Correct:
Er sagte, er würde morgen kommen.
(Using Mixed Konjunktiv)
*Explanation:* When the Konjunktiv I form of a verb is identical to its indicative form (e.g., ich komme vs. ich komme), the Mixed Konjunktiv (using Konjunktiv II forms) is used for clarity. Würde kommen clearly signals indirect speech.

Real Conversations

A

A

Er hat mir erzählt, dass er die Prüfung bestanden habe.
(He told me that he had passed the exam.)
B

B

Wirklich? Ich dachte, er sei durchgefallen.
(Really? I thought he had failed.)
A

A

Die Zeitung schreibt, die Preise würden bald steigen.
(The newspaper writes that prices would rise soon.)
B

B

Oh, das ist ärgerlich. Ich hoffe, das stimmt nicht.
(Oh, that's annoying. I hope that's not true.)
A

A

Es wird gesagt, das alte Schloss sei verflucht.
(It is said that the old castle is cursed.)
B

B

Ach, solche Geschichten gibt es doch überall.
(Ah, such stories exist everywhere.)

Quick FAQ

Q

When do I use Konjunktiv I vs. Konjunktiv II for reported speech?

The Konjunktiv I is the primary mood for indirect speech. You use Konjunktiv II (or the würde construction) when the Konjunktiv I form is identical to the indicative, or when you want to express a hypothetical or more polite statement within reported speech.

Q

What if I'm reporting a simple statement like I am here?

You would say:

Er sagt, er sei hier.
The Konjunktiv I of sein is sei.

Q

How do I report a future action in reported speech?

You can use the Konjunktiv I Futur I. For example:

Sie sagt, sie werde morgen kommen.
(She says she will come tomorrow.)

Cultural Context

In German culture, precision and clarity are highly valued, especially in formal or professional settings. Using the Konjunktiv I in reported speech demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of these nuances. It allows speakers to convey information responsibly, attributing statements to their original source and avoiding the implication of personal endorsement.
This is particularly evident in news reporting, academic discourse, and professional communication, where neutrality and accuracy are paramount.

주요 예문 (4)

1

Der Reporter sagte, der Minister `habe` den {der|m} Vertrag `unterschrieben`.

기자는 장관이 계약서에 서명했다고 말했다.

과거 보고하기: 독일어 접속법 1식 완료
2

Sie meinte, sie `sei` gestern im {das|n} Kino `gewesen`.

그녀는 어제 영화관에 있었다고 말했다.

과거 보고하기: 독일어 접속법 1식 완료
3

Der Bericht sagt, die Straße werde gesperrt.

그 보고서에 따르면 도로가 폐쇄될 거래요.

소문과 뉴스: 간접 화법에서의 독일어 수동태
4

Man sagt, das Video werde morgen hochgeladen.

내일 그 영상이 업로드될 거라고들 해요.

소문과 뉴스: 간접 화법에서의 독일어 수동태

팁과 요령 (2)

🎯

'Er' 규칙

실제로 독일어 간접화법을 쓸 때, ‘er/sie/es’ 형태인 “habe”와 “sei”만 잘 알아두면 90%는 해결돼요. 왜냐하면 우리가 주로 다른 사람의 말을 전하니까요!
Er sagte, er habe die Nachricht gelesen.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 과거 보고하기: 독일어 접속법 1식 완료
💡

'Er-Sie-Es' 규칙

가장 자주 보게 될 형태는 'werde'일 거예요. 보통 한 사람이나 기관이 한 가지 일에 대해 말한 내용을 전달할 때 쓰거든요. Es werde beendet.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 소문과 뉴스: 간접 화법에서의 독일어 수동태

핵심 어휘 (5)

die Behauptung the claim/assertion angeblich allegedly/supposedly berichten to report die Meldung the news report vermitteln to convey/mediate

Real-World Preview

briefcase

Office Rumor Mill

Review Summary

  • haben/sein (Konj. I) + Partizip II
  • sei/seien + Partizip II + worden

자주 하는 실수

Using Indicative instead of Konjunktiv I after a reporting verb makes the information sound like a fact rather than a report.

Wrong: Er hat gesagt, er hat das gemacht.
정답: Er hat gesagt, er habe das gemacht.

Do not add an extra 'sein' at the end of a passive construction in Konjunktiv I.

Wrong: Das Projekt sei gemacht worden sein.
정답: Das Projekt sei gemacht worden.

Avoid using Konjunktiv II (wäre) for simple reports; use Konjunktiv I (sei) for standard reporting.

Wrong: Sie sagte, er wäre gekommen.
정답: Sie sagte, er sei gekommen.

Next Steps

You have mastered the art of distance! Keep practicing, and your German will sound impeccably professional.

Listen to a German news podcast and identify three reported statements.

빠른 연습 (6)

이 보고 문장에서 틀린 부분을 고치세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

Der Freund meinte, er hätte den Film gesehen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Der Freund meinte, er habe den Film gesehen.
'Hätte'는 접속법 2식(소망/가정)이에요. 누군가 한 말을 단순하게 보고할 때는 접속법 1식 'habe'를 사용해야 해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 과거 보고하기: 독일어 접속법 1식 완료

간접 화법에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요.

Find and fix the mistake:

Er sagt, das Haus werde bauen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, das Haus werde gebaut.
수동태는 항상 과거분사(gebaut)가 필요하며, 동사원형(bauen)은 사용할 수 없어요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 소문과 뉴스: 간접 화법에서의 독일어 수동태

누군가 새로운 도시로 이사했다고 올바르게 보고하는 문장을 고르세요.

Choose the correct reported speech sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie sagte, sie sei nach Berlin umgezogen.
'이사하다(umziehen)'와 같은 이동 동사는 'sein'을 사용해요. 접속법 1식에서는 이것이 'sei'가 된답니다.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 과거 보고하기: 독일어 접속법 1식 완료

올바른 접속법 1식 조동사('habe' 또는 'sei')를 채워 넣으세요.

Er sagte, er ___ das Buch schon gelesen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: habe
'lesen'은 완료 시제에서 'haben'을 사용하므로 'habe'가 맞아요. 'hat'은 직설법이며, 간접화법에서는 덜 격식적이죠.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 과거 보고하기: 독일어 접속법 1식 완료

'werden'의 올바른 Konjunktiv I 형태를 채워 넣으세요.

Der Reporter sagt, das Gebäude ___ renoviert.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: werde
기자가 말한 내용을 전달하는(간접 화법) 것이므로, Konjunktiv I 형태인 'werde'를 사용해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 소문과 뉴스: 간접 화법에서의 독일어 수동태

Passive Konjunktiv I를 올바르게 사용한 문장은 무엇인가요?

문법적으로 올바른 간접 화법 문장을 선택하세요:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie sagt, die Pizza werde geliefert.
Konjunktiv I 형태인 'werde'와 과거분사 'geliefert'가 문장 끝에 와야 해요.

frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 소문과 뉴스: 간접 화법에서의 독일어 수동태

Score: /6

자주 묻는 질문 (4)

접속법 1식은 다른 사람이 한 말을 중립적으로 전달할 때 사용하고, 2식은 소원, 꿈, 또는 사실이 아닌 가정의 상황에 쓰여요. 예를 들어, Er habe Zeit는 누군가 그가 시간이 있다고 말했다는 뜻이고,
Er hätte Zeit
는 그가 시간이 있었으면 좋겠다는 소망을 나타내죠.
맞아요, 실제로 그렇답니다! 'haben' 동사의 'wir' 접속법 1식 형태는 haben이에요. 일반적인 회화의 'haben'과 형태가 같기 때문에, 혼동을 피하려고 독일어 화자들은 종종 접속법 2식인 hätten을 대신 사용하기도 해요.
Wir haben gesagt, wir haben die Arbeit gemacht.
이 문장에서 haben은 혼동될 수 있죠.
물론 쓸 수 있죠! 하지만 Konjunktiv I를 사용하면 당신이 더 고급 독일어 사용자라는 것을 보여줄 수 있고, 그 진술의 진실성에 대해 당신이 개인적으로 책임지지 않는다는 뉘앙스를 전달할 수 있어요. 마치
Es werde gesagt, dass der Kaffee gut sei
(커피가 좋다고들 하더라) 처럼요.
'Werde'는 보고(reporting)를 위한 Konjunktiv I이고, 'würde'는 가상적인 상황(imaginary)을 위한 Konjunktiv II예요. 다른 사람들이 실제로 말했던 것을 전달할 때는 'werde'를 사용해야 해요.
Man sagt, die Schule werde geschlossen
(학교가 닫을 거라고들 해)처럼요.