Der Arzt sagt, mein Blutdruck sei normal.

The doctor says my blood pressure is normal.

Breakdown of Der Arzt sagt, mein Blutdruck sei normal.

• sein: to be
• mein: my
• sagen: to say
• normal: normal

Questions & Answers about Der Arzt sagt, mein Blutdruck sei normal.

Why is it sei and not ist?

Sei is the subjunctive I (Konjunktiv I) form of sein and is used for reported (indirect) speech.

• Der Arzt sagt, mein Blutdruck sei normal.
  → Literally: The doctor says (that) my blood pressure *be normal (i.e. *is normal, according to him).

Using sei shows you are reporting someone else’s statement, keeping a slight distance: you’re not necessarily vouching for it as your own fact; you’re transmitting what the doctor said.

Forms of Konjunktiv I for sein:

• ich sei
• du sei(e)st
• er/sie/es sei
• wir seien
• ihr seiet
• sie/Sie seien

In everyday spoken German, many people just use ist instead of sei, but sei is still very common in more careful or written German (news, reports, formal writing).

Can I also say Der Arzt sagt, mein Blutdruck ist normal? What’s the difference?