Talk:mögen

"möchten" as a substandard infinitive

I think it's interesting that even though "ich möchte" is a subjunctive II, it is sometimes treated, in colloquial (and substandard) German, as though "möchten" were a legitimate infinitive.

In fact, I just heard it on the radio.

[1] has a discussion.

I think we should probably create möchten, and list it as a nonstandard translation for want; however, the correct translation of non-infinite want, in most contexts, is based on mögen, not wollen, which is considered impolite for wanting anything that would require, or implicitly requests, action from others.

Iagzsazoozig 10:45, 15 August 2008 (UTC)