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How to Say ‘What should I do?’ in German

Was soll ich machen?

vahs zoll ikh MAKH-uhn

[vahs zoll ikh MAKH-uhn]

💬 Usage Tip: With sollen, German often asks for guidance rather than ability or future action. Was soll ich machen? is the natural way to ask "What should I do?" in a medical situation.

Phrase Breakdown

Was soll ich

vahs zoll ikh

what should I

'Was' means what and 'soll ich' means 'should I'. The 'W' sounds like 'v' and 's' in 'soll' sounds like 'z'.

Example

Was soll ich sagen?

What should I say?

Words in this phrase

Was

[vahs]

what

A question word used to ask for information.

Example

Was passiert als Nächstes?

What happens next?

soll

[zoll]

should / am supposed to

Form of modal verb "sollen," expressing obligation or expectation.

Example

Was soll ich tun?

What should I do?

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

machen?

MAKH-uhn

do?

'machen' means to do or to make. The 'ch' is a throaty sound, like in Scottish 'loch'.

Example

Was machen Sie?

What are you doing?

Words in this phrase

machen

[MAKH-uhn]

do / make

From the verb "machen"; usually means to do or make.

Example

Das Hotel erklärt, was wir machen können.

The hotel explains what we can do.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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