sollen
/ˈzɔlən/
modal verb
A2
der (masc.) die (fem.) das (neut.)
Underline = a spelling pattern that usually signals that gender.
Forms
- ich/er
- soll
- du
- sollst
- wir/sie
- sollen
- past (er)
- sollte
Meaning
Similar words
müssen is a necessity that comes from the situation itself — no one has to agree with it. sollen is an obligation imposed by someone else's expectation or instruction, and can be argued with. "Ich muss husten" (I have to cough) versus "Ich soll früh aufstehen" (I'm supposed to get up early, because someone told me to).
Practice
1 What does sollen mean?
should, to be supposed to
2 Fill the gap: Du ___ deine Hausaufgaben machen.
Full sentence: Du sollst deine Hausaufgaben machen. (You're supposed to do your homework.)
See also
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