Konjunktiv II · the politeness dial
The same wish can sound like an order — or like a request. German turns the dial with Konjunktiv II. Pick a form, then slide from direct to polite and watch the sentence transform.
Ich will einen Tee.
I want a tea.
Steal these
Learn these as whole chunks — they cover most everyday requests. Tap to hear each one.
Watch out
Modal verbs form their own K2 (conjugated like hätte). Two of them keep the vowel — no umlaut.
Make it stick
Fifteen blunt sentences to soften. Read the direct version, then pick the right Konjunktiv II form — you'll get a per-form score at the end.
Direct“Ich will bestellen.”
Ich … bestellen.
I would like to order.