B2 Verb Moods 9 min read Hard

Reporting Orders: Konjunktiv I (Commands)

Use Konjunktiv I to report instructions or write formal recipes, adding a layer of objective, professional distance.
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Grammar Rule in 30 Seconds

Use Konjunktiv I to report commands indirectly by replacing the imperative with 'möge' or the Konjunktiv I form.

  • Use 'möge' + infinitive for polite reported commands: 'Er sagte, ich möge kommen.'
  • Use Konjunktiv I for indirect requests: 'Sie bat, dass ich das Fenster öffne.'
  • Avoid the imperative in indirect speech; it sounds unnatural and grammatically incorrect.
Reported Person + sagte/bat + dass + Subject + Konjunktiv I Verb

Overview

Ever found yourself stuck in a game of Chinese whispers? You know, when your boss tells your colleague to tell you to do something, but it sounds less like an order and more like a distant suggestion? That’s where the Konjunktiv I comes into play for indirect commands.

It’s the linguistic equivalent of saying, "Look, I’m just the messenger, but someone else said you should probably do this." In German, we use this specific mood to report what someone else has ordered or requested without using their exact words. It adds a layer of professional distance. It’s the difference between a drill sergeant yelling in your face and a polite email from HR saying that employees mögen (may/should) please use the recycling bin.

If you want to navigate the world of German offices, legal documents, or even just follow a trendy TikTok recipe, understanding this 'reporting' voice is your secret weapon. Let’s look at how to master the art of being the middleman without losing the message.

Imagine you are reading a formal recipe on a food blog. Instead of the aggressive "Take two eggs!" (Imperative), you see something smoother: Man nehme zwei Eier. That is the Konjunktiv I acting as a command.

In everyday life, you’ll mostly encounter this when reporting what a doctor, a teacher, or a supervisor said. If a doctor says, "Drink more water," and you tell your friend, you might say, "Der Arzt sagte, ich solle mehr Wasser trinken." The Konjunktiv I here (the word solle) shows that you are reporting a command given by someone else. It’s polite, it’s objective, and it keeps you from sounding like you’re the one giving the orders.

Think of it as the 'diplomatic' mood. You aren't being bossy; you're just being a very accurate reporter. Why do we need this at A1 level?

Because even at the start, you need to know why the instructions on your das Visum (visa) or in a die Packungsbeilage (medicine leaflet) look a bit different from the German you use with friends at a die Bar. It's the 'formal instruction' vibe that every adult learner eventually bumps into.

How This Grammar Works

The magic of Konjunktiv I for indirect commands usually happens in one of two ways. The first is the "Reporting Style." This is when you use the verb sollen (should) or mögen (to like/may) in their Konjunktiv I forms to pass on a request. For example, if your boss says "Call me!", you report it as "Er sagte, ich solle ihn anrufen." The second way is the "Instructional Style," often called the 'Jussive.' This is common in recipes or technical manuals.
Instead of saying "Mix the flour," the text says "Man mische das Mehl." It’s a very formal way to give a general instruction. Why does German bother with this? It’s all about clarity.
By using a different verb form, the listener immediately knows you are quoting a rule or an order from an outside source. It’s like using a special font for quotes in a text message. If you use the normal present tense, it sounds like a fact; if you use the Konjunktiv I, it sounds like an instruction from an authority.
It’s a subtle flex of your German skills that makes you sound much more like a native speaker who understands social nuances. Just don't use it to tell your cat to get off the sofa—unless your cat is very formal and prefers bureaucratic German.

Formation Pattern

1
Creating the Konjunktiv I is surprisingly easy. You take the base of the verb (the infinitive minus the -en) and add a set of special endings. The best part? There are almost no irregular verbs, except for the big boss: sein (to be).
2
Find the infinitive: sollen (should).
3
Remove the -en to get the stem: soll-.
4
Add the Konjunktiv I endings:
5
ich: -e (ich solle)
6
du: -est (du sollest)
7
er/sie/es: -e (er/sie/es solle)
8
wir: -en (wir sollen — Note: this looks like normal present tense!)
9
ihr: -et (ihr sollet)
10
sie/Sie: -en (sie sollen)
11
For the 'Instructional' style (like recipes), we almost always use the 'man' (one) form or 'er/sie/es' form, so you just need the stem + -e.
12
Example: man nehme (one takes/should take), man fülle (one fills).
13
One special rule: If the Konjunktiv I form looks exactly like the normal present tense (like in the 'wir' or 'sie' forms), Germans often switch to Konjunktiv II (the 'would' form) to avoid confusion. But for A1, focus on the singular forms like ich solle or er solle, as these are the most distinct and useful for reporting orders. And remember: the verb sein is the weirdo. It becomes ich sei, du seiest, er sei, wir seien, ihr seiet, sie seien. It’s like the verb went to a fancy finishing school and came back with a monocle.

When To Use It

You’ll want to reach for this grammar tool in three main scenarios:
  • Reporting Orders: When you’re telling a friend what your der Chef (boss) or die Lehrerin (teacher) said you must do. "Sie sagte, wir solen pünktlich sein."
  • Recipes and Manuals: When you’re writing or reading how to do something in a formal way. "Man gebe der Teig in die Form." (Put the dough in the pan.) This is very common on German cooking websites or in old-school cookbooks.
  • Legal or Official Requests: If you get a letter from the das Bürgeramt (citizens' office), they might use this to tell you what documents to bring. It sounds official and non-negotiable but polite.
In the modern world, you see this in high-quality journalism or when a TikToker is ironically narrating their life as if it were a formal documentary. If you're texting a friend, you'll probably just use sollen in the normal tense, but if you're writing a report for your German class or a professional email, using solle instead of soll makes you look like a pro. It’s the difference between wearing a hoodie and wearing a blazer to a Zoom meeting.
Both work, but one says "I know the rules."

Common Mistakes

The biggest pitfall is mixing up Konjunktiv I with its cousin, Konjunktiv II. Konjunktiv II is for "would/could/should" (imaginary stuff like "If I were a billionaire..."). Konjunktiv I is strictly for reporting what was said or giving formal instructions. Don't say ich wäre (I would be) when you mean ich sei (I am reported to be).
Another classic mistake is forgetting that the 'man' form in recipes is singular. People often try to use the plural form because they are thinking of a group of people cooking, but it’s always man nehme (singular), never man nehmen.
Also, watch out for the 'identical form' trap. Since wir sollen (Konjunktiv I) looks exactly like wir sollen (Present), it doesn't actually signal anything new to the listener. In those cases, most people just stick to the normal present tense or use würden.
Finally, don't overdo it! If you use Konjunktiv I while ordering a die Pizza via die App or talking to your bestie on WhatsApp, you’ll sound like you’ve accidentally swallowed a 19th-century law book. Use it where it belongs: in formal contexts or when accurately relaying an instruction. German is a language of 'layers'—make sure you're using the right layer for the right person!

Contrast With Similar Patterns

Let's compare this to the Imperative and the normal sollen (should).
  • Imperative (Direct): "Trink das Wasser!" This is a direct command. It’s loud, clear, and person-to-person. You use this with friends or when you're actually the one in charge.
  • Normal sollen (Present): "Du sollst das Wasser trinken." This is a simple statement of obligation. It’s what we use in 90% of daily conversations. It’s factual: "You are supposed to drink water."
  • Konjunktiv I (Indirect Command): "Der Arzt sagt, man solle viel Wasser trinken." This is the 'reporting' version. You aren't telling them to drink; you are telling them that the doctor told them to drink. It adds that protective layer of "don't shoot the messenger."
Think of it like this: The Imperative is a punch, the normal sollen is a firm handshake, and the Konjunktiv I is a polite business card left on a desk. They all get the job done, but the social 'vibe' is totally different. In a recipe, the Imperative would be "Nimm 100g Zucker!", while the Konjunktiv I would be "Man nehme 100g der Zucker." The latter feels like a classic, elegant instruction from a master chef, whereas the former feels like a quick instruction from a YouTube tutorial.

Quick FAQ

Q

Is Konjunktiv I only for old people?

Not at all! It’s used every day in news reports, professional emails, and on every German cooking blog you’ll ever visit.

Q

Do I really need this for A1?

You won't use it every sentence, but you'll see it in instructions and recipes. Knowing what it is prevents you from thinking the verb is 'broken'.

Q

What’s the most important verb to know?

Definitely sein (sei) and sollen (solle). These are the workhorses of indirect commands.

Q

Can I use it on Instagram?

Yes! If you're sharing a recipe or 'reporting' a funny demand your mom made, it can add a touch of mock-formality that’s quite funny.

Q

Is it hard to pronounce?

Usually not. Most endings just add a soft '-e' sound, which is very common in German. Just don't swallow the 'e'!

Q

Why is it called 'Subjunctive I'?

Because it’s a 'sub-mood' used for non-factual reporting. It's the linguistic way of saying "I'm not saying this is true or my idea; I'm just saying it's what was said."

Konjunktiv I of 'mögen'

Person Konjunktiv I
ich
möge
du
mögest
er/sie/es
möge
wir
mögen
ihr
möget
sie/Sie
mögen

Meanings

This grammar allows you to report an order or request made by someone else without using direct speech.

1

Indirect Command

Reporting an instruction given by another person.

“Er sagte, ich möge das Licht ausschalten.”

“Sie bat, dass wir pünktlich seien.”

Reference Table

Reference table for Reporting Orders: Konjunktiv I (Commands)
Form Structure Example
Affirmative
Subject + sagte + dass + Subject + Konjunktiv I
Er sagte, dass ich komme.
Formal
Subject + sagte + Subject + möge + Infinitiv
Er sagte, ich möge kommen.
Negative
Subject + sagte + dass + Subject + nicht + Konjunktiv I
Er sagte, dass ich nicht komme.
Request
Subject + bat + dass + Subject + Konjunktiv II
Sie bat, dass ich käme.
Reported Order
Subject + forderte + dass + Subject + Konjunktiv I
Er forderte, dass wir seien.
Passive
Subject + sagte + dass + es + getan werde
Er sagte, dass es getan werde.

Formality Spectrum

Formal
Der Vorgesetzte wies an, ich möge die Arbeit beenden.

Der Vorgesetzte wies an, ich möge die Arbeit beenden. (Workplace)

Neutral
Der Chef sagte, ich soll die Arbeit beenden.

Der Chef sagte, ich soll die Arbeit beenden. (Workplace)

Informal
Der Chef meinte, ich soll fertig machen.

Der Chef meinte, ich soll fertig machen. (Workplace)

Slang
Chef meinte, mach fertig.

Chef meinte, mach fertig. (Workplace)

Reporting Orders Flow

Indirect Speech

Direct

  • Komm! Come!

Indirect

  • Er sagte, ich möge kommen. He said I should come.
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Examples by Level

1

Er sagt, ich soll kommen.

He says I should come.

2

Sie sagt, ich soll essen.

She says I should eat.

3

Er sagt, ich soll gehen.

He says I should go.

4

Sie sagt, ich soll warten.

She says I should wait.

1

Er bat, dass ich komme.

He asked that I come.

2

Sie bat, dass ich helfe.

She asked that I help.

3

Er bat, dass ich bleibe.

He asked that I stay.

4

Sie bat, dass ich schreibe.

She asked that I write.

1

Er sagte, ich möge kommen.

He said I should come.

2

Sie sagte, ich möge warten.

She said I should wait.

3

Er sagte, ich möge gehen.

He said I should go.

4

Sie sagte, ich möge helfen.

She said I should help.

1

Der Chef verlangte, dass wir pünktlich seien.

The boss demanded that we be on time.

2

Sie bat, dass die Unterlagen fertiggestellt seien.

She asked that the documents be completed.

3

Er forderte, dass wir das Projekt beendeten.

He demanded that we finish the project.

4

Der Lehrer wollte, dass wir leise seien.

The teacher wanted us to be quiet.

1

Es wurde angeordnet, man möge die Tore schließen.

It was ordered that one should close the gates.

2

Man forderte, die Beteiligten mögen sich erklären.

They demanded that the participants explain themselves.

3

Der Bericht empfahl, man möge die Strategie ändern.

The report recommended that one should change the strategy.

4

Es hieß, man möge die Regeln beachten.

It was said that one should observe the rules.

1

Die Anweisung lautete, man möge von weiteren Schritten absehen.

The instruction was that one should refrain from further steps.

2

Es sei gefordert worden, man möge unverzüglich handeln.

It had been demanded that one should act immediately.

3

Man möge bedenken, dass die Zeit dränge.

One should consider that time is pressing.

4

Es wurde nahegelegt, man möge die Option prüfen.

It was suggested that one should check the option.

Easily Confused

Reporting Orders: Konjunktiv I (Commands) vs Konjunktiv I vs. Konjunktiv II

Learners mix them up because both are used in reported speech.

Reporting Orders: Konjunktiv I (Commands) vs Sollen vs. Möge

Both report orders.

Reporting Orders: Konjunktiv I (Commands) vs Direct vs. Indirect

Learners use imperative in indirect speech.

Common Mistakes

✗

Er sagte, komm!

✓

Er sagte, ich solle kommen.

Direct imperative cannot be used in indirect speech.
✗

Er sagte, du kommst.

✓

Er sagte, ich solle kommen.

Indicative is not the correct mood for reported commands.
✗

Er sagte, er soll kommen.

✓

Er sagte, ich solle kommen.

Wrong pronoun usage.
✗

Er sagte, kommend.

✓

Er sagte, ich solle kommen.

Participle usage is incorrect here.
✗

Er bat, dass ich komme.

✓

Er bat, dass ich käme.

Requests often take Konjunktiv II.
✗

Er sagte, dass ich komme.

✓

Er sagte, dass ich käme.

Konjunktiv II is preferred for requests.
✗

Er sagte, dass ich soll.

✓

Er sagte, dass ich solle.

Konjunktiv I form is 'solle'.
✗

Er sagte, ich mögen kommen.

✓

Er sagte, ich möge kommen.

Wrong conjugation of 'mögen'.
✗

Er sagte, ich möge gekommen.

✓

Er sagte, ich möge kommen.

Infinitive is required.
✗

Er sagte, ich möge zu kommen.

✓

Er sagte, ich möge kommen.

No 'zu' with 'möge'.
✗

Er sagte, ich möge gekommen sein.

✓

Er sagte, ich möge kommen.

Tense mismatch.
✗

Er sagte, ich sei zu kommen.

✓

Er sagte, ich solle kommen.

Wrong construction.
✗

Er sagte, ich möge das getan haben.

✓

Er sagte, ich möge das tun.

Infinitive should be present.
✗

Er sagte, ich möge das mache.

✓

Er sagte, ich möge das tun.

Wrong verb.

Sentence Patterns

Er sagte, ich ___ ___.

Sie bat, dass ich ___ ___.

Der Chef verlangte, dass wir ___ ___.

Es wurde gesagt, man ___ ___.

Real World Usage

Workplace Email very common

Bitte beachten Sie, dass Sie die Frist einhalten mögen.

News Report constant

Der Sprecher sagte, man möge die Ruhe bewahren.

Meeting Minutes common

Der Vorstand forderte, dass die Kosten gesenkt seien.

Academic Paper common

Es wird empfohlen, man möge die Methode anpassen.

Legal Document common

Der Angeklagte möge sich erklären.

Formal Letter occasional

Ich bitte, dass Sie den Betrag überweisen mögen.

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💡

The 'Man' Rule

If you are reading a German recipe and see 'man' followed by a verb ending in 'e', you are looking at the Konjunktiv I. It's the standard for professional cooking instructions.
⚠️

Don't Sound Like a Robot

In casual speech, Germans often use the normal present tense for indirect commands. Use Konjunktiv I when you want to be formally correct or in writing.
🎯

The 'Sei' Shortcut

Even if you forget other verbs, remember 'sei' (be). It's very common for reporting requests like 'He said I should be there' (Er sagte, ich sei da).

Smart Tips

Use 'möge' for a professional tone.

Er sagte, komm! → Er sagte, ich möge kommen.

Switch to Konjunktiv II.

Er sagte, er komme (looks like indicative). → Er sagte, er käme (clearer).

Use 'sollen' instead of 'möge'.

Er sagte, ich möge kommen. → Er sagte, ich soll kommen.

Use Konjunktiv I consistently.

Er sagte, ich soll kommen. → Er sagte, ich möge kommen.

Pronunciation

/ˈmøːɡə/

Möge

Pronounced 'MÖ-guh'.

Formal Report

Er sagte, | ich möge kommen. ↘

Falling intonation indicates a completed, formal statement.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Möge makes the command go away (into reported speech).

Visual Association

Imagine a megaphone (direct command) being replaced by a soft, polite letter (indirect report).

Rhyme

If you want to report what they say, use 'möge' to keep the command at bay.

Story

The King shouted 'Attack!'. The messenger arrived and told the General: 'The King said you möge attack.' The General nodded, understanding the indirect order.

Word Web

mögesollendasssagtebatbefahl

Challenge

Take 3 imperative sentences from a book and rewrite them as reported speech using 'möge'.

Cultural Notes

Using Konjunktiv I is seen as highly professional in written reports.

Journalists use this to report what politicians say without taking sides.

Used in papers to report findings or instructions from other researchers.

Konjunktiv I stems from the Old High German optative mood.

Conversation Starters

“

Was hat dein Chef heute gesagt?

“

Was hat der Lehrer verlangt?

“

Was hat die Polizei gesagt?

“

Was steht in der E-Mail?

Journal Prompts

Write about a meeting you attended. Use reported speech for the orders given.
Summarize a news article you read today.
Describe a time someone gave you a difficult instruction.
Write a formal complaint letter.

Common Mistakes

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

Incorrect

Correct

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Test Yourself

Fill in the correct form of 'mögen'.

Er sagte, ich ___ kommen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: möge
Ich takes 'möge'.
Choose the correct indirect speech form. Multiple Choice

Er sagte: 'Geh!' -> Er sagte, ich ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: solle gehen
Reported speech requires a shift from imperative.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Er sagte, komm nach Hause.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagte, ich solle nach Hause kommen.
Imperative is wrong in indirect speech.
Transform to indirect speech. Sentence Transformation

Sie sagte: 'Warte!'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie sagte, ich solle warten.
Use 'sollen' for reported orders.
Match the direct command to the indirect report. Match Pairs

Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
Matching direct to indirect forms.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

sagte / er / ich / möge / kommen

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagte, ich möge kommen.
Correct word order.
Which is more formal? Multiple Choice

Er sagte, ich ___ kommen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: möge
'Möge' is the formal Konjunktiv I form.
Fill in the blank.

Sie bat, dass ich ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: käme
Requests use Konjunktiv II.

Score: /8

Practice Exercises

8 exercises
Fill in the correct form of 'mögen'.

Er sagte, ich ___ kommen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: möge
Ich takes 'möge'.
Choose the correct indirect speech form. Multiple Choice

Er sagte: 'Geh!' -> Er sagte, ich ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: solle gehen
Reported speech requires a shift from imperative.
Correct the sentence. Error Correction

Find and fix the mistake:

Er sagte, komm nach Hause.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagte, ich solle nach Hause kommen.
Imperative is wrong in indirect speech.
Transform to indirect speech. Sentence Transformation

Sie sagte: 'Warte!'

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Sie sagte, ich solle warten.
Use 'sollen' for reported orders.
Match the direct command to the indirect report. Match Pairs

1. Komm! 2. Geh! 3. Warte!

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: 1-A, 2-B, 3-C
Matching direct to indirect forms.
Build a sentence. Sentence Building

sagte / er / ich / möge / kommen

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagte, ich möge kommen.
Correct word order.
Which is more formal? Multiple Choice

Er sagte, ich ___ kommen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: möge
'Möge' is the formal Konjunktiv I form.
Fill in the blank.

Sie bat, dass ich ___.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: käme
Requests use Konjunktiv II.

Score: /8

Practice Bank

8 exercises
Complete the recipe instruction with 'mischen' (to mix). Fill in the Blank

Man ___ das Mehl mit der Milch.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: mische
Translate this sentence into German using Konjunktiv I: 'He says I should go.' Translation

He says I should go.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, ich solle gehen.
Put the words in the correct order for an indirect command. Sentence Reorder

sagt / solle / Er / kommen / ich / .

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, ich solle kommen.
Match the present tense with its Konjunktiv I counterpart. Match Pairs

Match the forms:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: er soll / er solle
Which sentence sounds like a formal instruction manual? Multiple Choice

Pick the manual style sentence:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Man drücke den roten Knopf.
Fix the ending for the 'du' form of 'sollen' in Konjunktiv I. Error Correction

Er sagt, du solle kommen.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er sagt, du sollest kommen.
Choose the correct irregular form of 'sein'. Fill in the Blank

Die Mutter verlangt, das Kind ___ brav.

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: sei
Select the sentence that reports a third-party command. Multiple Choice

Reporting a command:

✓ Correct! ✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Der Chef verlangt, er beende die Arbeit.

Score: /8

FAQ (8)

No, never. It is grammatically incorrect.

Yes, it is very formal and used in written reports.

Use Konjunktiv II instead to be clear.

It depends on the context; 'sollen' is more common in speech.

To report orders accurately without using direct quotes.

Yes, it is perfect for formal workplace emails.

Less so than in professional settings, but still useful.

Yes, using 'dass'-clauses with other verbs.

Scaffolded Practice

1

1

2

2

3

3

4

4

Mastery Progress

Needs Practice

Improving

Strong

Mastered

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In Other Languages

Spanish high

Subjunctive

Spanish uses it more frequently in daily speech.

French high

Subjonctif

French has fewer distinct forms than German.

Japanese low

Quotative 'to'

Japanese does not change verb mood for reporting.

Arabic moderate

Jussive

Arabic is more inflectional.

Chinese none

None

Chinese has no verb conjugation.

English moderate

Indirect speech

English lacks a dedicated subjunctive mood for this.

Learning Path

Prerequisites

Previous
Reporting Questions: Konjunktiv I

Learn These First

B2 Requires

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