When we are talking about a situation that is not real, we use a special form of the verb known as the subjunctive. We use this form, for example, to express wishes.
real: Ich habe keinen eigenen Fahrradladen.
wish: Ich hätte gern einen eigenen Fahrradladen.
The past subjunctive of "haben" is conjugated as follows:
| Singular | |
| 1st person | ich hätte |
| 2nd person | du hättest |
| 3rd person | er/sie/es/man hätte |
| Plural | |
| 1st person | wir hätten |
| 2nd person | ihr hättet |
| 3rd person | sie hätten |
| Formal | Sie hätten |
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Grammatical terms in German: der Konjunktiv II: The subjunctive is a verb form that is used to express something that is not real but is a fantastical proposition. It is used, for example, to express a wish or a requirement that is unrealistic. It is also used to ask a favor of someone or to make a proposal in a polite manner. |