German word

müssen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈmʏsn̩/

Meaning

  • verbmust

Example

Wir müssen jetzt gehen.

We must leave now.

Illustration for müssen (must)

More examples

Ich habe gestern länger arbeiten müssen.

I had to work longer yesterday.

Core concept

A required action with outside pressure closing off the other choices.

Common phrases

  • müssen + Infinitiv

    must ___

  • nicht müssen

    not have to ___

Similar words

sollen: Being obliged to act because someone else requires or expects it.
dürfen: Having permission to take an action.
können: Being able to take an action because ability or conditions allow it.
wollen: Having a strong personal desire to take an action.

Definition in German

Zeigt an, dass äußere Umstände oder Verpflichtungen das Handeln erforderlich machen.

Word origin

German müssen developed from Old High German muozan, a Germanic verb related to English must, and became a modal verb expressing necessity.

Usage tips

  • German müssen takes a bare infinitive without zu, as in Wir müssen jetzt gehen.

Other meanings

  • have toverb
  • be certain toverb

Opposites

Related words

  • das Müssenhaving tonoun

Word lists with this word