Do you prefer to read this lesson Modal Verb „sollen“ in German? Switch language now!
„Sollen“ is a modal verb which means "should".
On this page I'll explain how „sollen“ is used, how to conjugate it, and things to watch out for, as well as provide some examples to help you really understand this important verb that you'll use very often when speaking German.
Conjugating „sollen“
In the subjunctive 2, the „o“ in „sollen“ doesn't change to an „ö“ ⇒ the simple past form and the subjunctive 2 form are identical.
Special offer: 5 Ebooks for Free!
Do you like EasyDeutsch? When you buy my Ebooks, you get exercises and even more simple, easy-to-understand explanations, and you also actively support me. Right now there is an offer where you get all 10 EasyDeutsch ebooks for the price of 5 ebooks! Get my ebooks today at a special price: Yes, I want the ebooks and over 100 bonus lessons!
Using „sollen“
As a task or duty:
- „Ich soll das Geschirr abwaschen.“
(I should wash the dishes. It is my chore.) - „Die Kinder sollen Hausaufgaben machen.“
(The teacher gave the children a homework assignment.)
As a recommendation or advice:
- „Du solltest dein Zimmer besser aufräumen!“
(I recommend that you clean the room. Otherwise, your parents will be upset.) - „Sie sollten den Vertrag unterschreiben!“
(I recommend that you sign the contract.)
As an assumption (with the Subjunctive 2):
High probability you are right.
- „Der Schal sollte Maria gehören.“
(As an answer to „Wem gehört dieser Schal?“ ⇒ I am quite sure.) - „Thomas sollte um 18 Uhr nach Hause kommen.“
(As an answer to: „Wann kommt Thomas nach Hause?“ ⇒ I am quite sure)
As an indirect command
⇒ The command was already given / task already assigned, and this is a reminder.
- „Du sollst den Müll rausbringen.“
(In this case it is a "reminder" to finally do something. The command was previously issued and usually came from another person.)
In comparison to a direct command: „Bring den Müll raus!“
Related Topics:
You can find more Modal Verbs here:
You can find an overview of all topics under German Grammar.
Related Topics:
Entire lesson in German only: Modalverben „sollen“
You can find more lessons on Verbs here:
- Was sind Verben? (What are Verbs?)
- Starke Verben (Strong Verbs)
- „sein“ und „haben“ ("sein" and "haben")
- Reflexive Verben (Reflexive Verbs)
- Trennbare & Untrennbare Verben (Separable & Inseparable Verbs)
- Modalverben (Modal Verbs)
- Partizip 1 (Present Participle)
- Partizip 2 (Past Participle)
- Das Verb „werden” (Verb "werden")
- Das Verb „lassen” (Verb "lassen")
- Imperativ (Imperative)
- Konjunktiv 1 (Subjunctive 1)
- Konjunktiv 2 (Subjunctive 2)
- Das Passiv (Passive Voice)
- Vorgangspassiv (Process Passive)
- Das Passiv in allen zeitformen (Process Passive in all tenses)
- Verben ohne Passiv (Verbs without Passive voice)
- Zustandpassiv (Status Passive)
- Das unpersönliche Passiv (Impersonal Passive)
- Verben mit Ergänzungen (Verbs with Complements)
- Verben mit Nominativ (Verbs with Nominative)
- Verben mit Akkusativ (Verbs with Accusative)
- Verben mit doppeltem Akkusativ (Verbs with double Accusative)
- Verben mit Dativ (Verbs with Dative)
- Verben mit Akkusativ & Dativ (Verbs with Accusative & Dative)
- Verben mit Genitiv (Verbs with Genitive)
- Verben mit Präpositionen (Verbs with Prepositions)
Lists on the topic of German verbs:
- Die 30 wichtigsten Verben mit Vokalwechsel (The 30 most important verbs with vowel change)
- Untrennbare Präfixe (Inseparable Prefixes)
- Wechselpräfixe (Two-case Prefixes)
- Unregelmäßige Partizip 2 Formen (Irregular Participle 2 forms)
- Nomen-Verb-Verbindungen (Noun-Verb compounds)
You can find an overview of all topics under German Grammar.
Recommendation: Free video lessons every Tuesday & Thursday
Sign up now: Email German Grammar course
