German word

sollen

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈzɔlən/

Meaning

  • verbshould

Example

Du sollst mehr Wasser trinken.

You should drink more water.

Illustration for sollen (should)

More examples

Es soll heute regnen.

It is said to rain today.

Core concept

An outside rule, request, or report points toward an action as the expected course, rather than as the speaker's own necessity.

Common phrases

  • du sollst + Infinitiv

    you should ___

  • es soll + Infinitiv

    it is said that ___

  • man soll + Infinitiv

    one should ___

Similar words

müssen: Marks an action as necessary because of an objective need or obligation.
dürfen: Marks an action as permitted by an outside authority or rule.
wollen: Expresses a personal wish or intention to do something.
möchten: Expresses a polite wish to do or have something.

Definition in German

Sagt, dass etwas laut Regel, Auftrag oder Aussage anderer getan werden soll.

Word origin

German sollen is inherited from Proto-Germanic *skulaną, which is also reflected in English shall and Dutch zullen.

Usage tips

  • Sollen + infinitive can report another person's claim or expectation, as in Er soll krank sein, meaning 'He is said to be ill.'

Other meanings

  • be expected toverb
  • be said toverb

Opposites

Word lists with this word