Translation of German word "sollen" to English
sollen
/zɔln̩/
Meaning
VerbModal verb expressing obligation, advice, or expectation ('should / ought to'); also used to report what someone else has said or claims ('is said to').
How to use
The modal verb sollen ('should / ought to / is said to') expresses obligation, advice, or rumor (Er soll reich sein — he is said to be rich). Conjugation in present: ich soll, du sollst, er soll, wir sollen.
🇬🇧 English
should
Example
Ich sagte ihm, dass ich morgen beschäftigt sein sollte.
I told him I should be busy tomorrow.
Sie sollten niemals trinken und Auto fahren.
You should never drink or drive.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- Was soll ich tun?— What should I do?
- Du sollst das wissen.— You ought to know that.
- Es soll regnen.— It is said to rain / supposed to rain.
More Core Verbs words
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "sollen"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich habe gesollt
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #156 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "sollen"?▼
The German word "sollen" is defined as: "Modal verb expressing obligation, advice, or expectation ('should / ought to'); also used to report what someone else has said or claims ('is said to')."
What does the German word "sollen" mean?▼
The German word "sollen" means "should" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "sollen"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "sollen" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "sollen"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ich sagte ihm, dass ich morgen beschäftigt sein sollte." (which translates as "I told him I should be busy tomorrow.").
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