sollen

Modal Verb Sollen

Level 1

Use sollen when someone else (a doctor, boss, or parent) tells you to do something, or when making an offer.

How It Works

The modal verb sollen is essential for navigating daily life in German. It follows the standard modal verb construction rules: the conjugated modal verb takes the second position, and the main verb moves to the end of the sentence in its infinitive form.

1. Conjugation (Present Tense):
Like other modals, the 1st and 3rd person singular have no ending and are identical:

  • ich soll
  • du sollst
  • er/sie/es soll (Note: no -t!)
  • wir sollen
  • ihr sollt
  • sie/Sie sollen

2. Key Functions:

  • External Expectation: While müssen implies a strict necessity, law, or compulsion where there is no choice, sollen refers to the will of someone else, an assignment, or a social expectation. 'Der Chef sagt, ich soll das Projekt beenden.' (The boss says I'm supposed to finish the project.)
  • Suggestions/Offers: 'Soll ich dir helfen?' (Should I help you?)
  • Moral Duty: Used in rules or commandments, like 'Du sollst nicht lügen.' (You shall not lie.)
  • Note on Hearsay: In advanced German, sollen can report rumors (e.g., 'Er soll reich sein'), but as a beginner, focus on its use for instructions and advice.

3. The Form 'Sollte':
It is important to note that sollte serves two roles. It is the simple past form ('was supposed to') and also the Konjunktiv II form used for polite advice ('should'). Context determines if you are talking about a past obligation or giving a suggestion.

Examples (6)

  1. Ich soll meine Hausaufgaben machen.

    I am supposed to do my homework.

    Word by Word: I shall my homework do.

    Here, 'sollen' indicates an external expectation, likely from a teacher or parent.

  2. Soll ich das Fenster zumachen?

    Should I close the window?

    Word by Word: Shall I the window close?

    In a question, 'sollen' is used to make an offer or ask for a suggestion.

  3. Der Arzt sagt, du sollst viel Wasser trinken.

    The doctor says you should drink a lot of water.

    Word by Word: The doctor says, you shall much water drink.

    This shows a command or advice originating from an authority figure (the doctor).

  4. Wir sollen heute nicht zu spät kommen.

    We aren't supposed to arrive too late today.

    Word by Word: We shall today not to late come.

    This expresses a rule or expectation for a group.

  5. Er soll sehr reich sein.

    He is said to be very rich.

    Word by Word: He shall very rich be.

    This uses 'sollen' to report a rumor or hearsay (what others say about him).

  6. Ich sollte gestern anrufen.

    I was supposed to call yesterday.

    Word by Word: I should yesterday call.

    In this context, 'sollte' is the simple past form, indicating a past obligation.

Common Mistakes

  • Adding a '-t' to the third person singular (er/sie/es).

    Er sollt nach Hause gehen.
    Er soll nach Hause gehen.

    Modal verbs in German do not take a '-t' in the 'er/sie/es' form. It is always 'er soll', just like 'ich soll'.

  • Confusing 'nicht sollen' with 'nicht müssen'.

    Du musst nicht rauchen.
    Du sollst nicht rauchen.

    In German, 'nicht müssen' means you don't have to do something (lack of necessity). To say that someone should not do something (advice or a rule), use 'nicht sollen'. 'Nicht dürfen' is also used for a ban.

  • Confusing 'sollen' with 'müssen' for personal necessity.

    Ich soll auf die Toilette gehen.
    Ich muss auf die Toilette gehen.

    Use 'müssen' for internal needs or absolute necessity. Use 'sollen' when someone else has requested it or it is a duty.

How It Connects

Tap a pattern to see what it builds on and what it leads to.

sollenLevel 1Modal Verb Sollen

Learn This First

To use 'sollen' effectively, you need to understand how to conjugate verbs for different subjects and how modal verbs affect German word order by moving the second verb to the end of the clause.

Words in This Pattern

sollen