Conditional Sentences

Conditional sentences (Bedingungssätze) express what would happen if something were true. In German, these sentences use wenn (if) and the Konjunktiv II. This lesson covers real vs unreal conditions and how to construct them correctly.

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Real vs Unreal Conditions

Real Conditions (Reale Bedingung) — Indikativ

These describe situations that can or might actually happen. They use the normal indicative mood:

• Wenn es morgen regnet, bleibe ich zu Hause. — If it rains tomorrow, I will stay at home.
• Wenn du fleißig lernst, bestehst du die Prüfung. — If you study hard, you will pass the exam.
• Wenn er anruft, sage ich ihm Bescheid. — If he calls, I will let him know.

These are real possibilities — they could genuinely happen.

Unreal Conditions (Irreale Bedingung) — Konjunktiv II

These describe situations that are hypothetical, unlikely, or impossible: