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

Was muss ich machen?

vahs moos ikh MAKH-uhn

[vahs moos ikh MAKH-uhn]

💬 Usage Tip: With muss "must", the main action machen goes to the very end. The same shape works for other questions: Was muss ich nehmen? "What do I have to take?"

Phrase Breakdown

Was muss ich

vahs moos ikh

What must I

A question word, then the modal verb 'muss', then 'ich'. Keep the 'u' in 'muss' short.

Example

Was muss ich zahlen?

What do I have to pay?

Words in this phrase

Was

[vahs]

what

A question word used to ask for information.

Example

Was passiert als Nächstes?

What happens next?

muss

[moos]

must

Indicating a necessity or obligation.

Example

Ich muss zur Arbeit gehen.

I must go to work.

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

machen?

MAKH-uhn

do?

The main verb goes to the end after a modal verb. Raise your voice slightly at the end of the question.

Example

Was soll ich machen?

What should I do?

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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