How to Say ‘I should’ in German
Ich soll
ikh zol
[ikh zol]
💬 Usage Tip: [soll] here is about what someone told you to do, not what you personally think is best. You can use the same pattern for reported instructions: [Ich soll heute länger bleiben.]
Phrase Breakdown
Ich
[ikh]
I
The first-person singular pronoun used when speaking about yourself.
Ich soll das heute erledigen.
I am supposed to finish that today.
soll
[zol]
am supposed to / should
A modal verb showing obligation, instruction, or what someone expects you to do.
Ich soll laut Anna zuerst warten.
According to Anna, I am supposed to wait first.
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