How to Say ‘What should I do?’ in German
Was soll ich machen?
vahs zoll ikh MAKH-en
[vahs zoll ikh MAKH-en]
💬 Usage Tip: "sollen" is used for advice or recommendation. So this literally means: "What am I supposed to do?" Very practical phrase.
🇩🇪 In Germany: German patients often ask for concrete next steps. Clear action questions like this fit very well in a medical appointment.
Phrase Breakdown
Was
[vahs]
what
Question word used to ask for information or instructions.
Was soll ich machen?
What should I do?
soll
[zoll]
should
Modal verb 'sollen' here asking for advice or instruction.
Was soll ich machen?
What should I do?
ich
[ikh]
I
First-person singular pronoun.
Was soll ich machen?
What should I do?
machen
[MAKH-en]
do
Verb meaning 'to do' or 'to make'; here it means what action to take.
Was soll ich machen?
What should I do?
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