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How to Say ‘Shouldn't we actually be going via Friedrichstraße?’ in German

Müssten wir nicht eigentlich über die Friedrichstraße fahren?

MUES-ten veer nicht EYE-gent-likh UE-ber dee FREED-rikh-shtrah-seh FAH-ren

[MUES-ten veer nicht EYE-gent-likh UE-ber dee FREED-rikh-shtrah-seh FAH-ren]

🇩🇪 In Germany: A tentative question like this is how locals raise a route doubt with a driver. It invites an explanation instead of accusing them of padding the fare.

Phrase Breakdown

Müssten wir nicht eigentlich

MUES-ten veer nicht EYE-gent-likh

Shouldn't we actually

'müssten' is the subjunctive of 'müssen' and makes the question polite and tentative. 'ü' is said with rounded lips. 'eigentlich' = actually.

Example

Müssten wir nicht eigentlich schon da sein?

Shouldn't we actually be there already?

Words in this phrase

Müssten

[MUES-ten]

shouldn't (we) / ought to

Subjunctive of 'müssen', used politely to suggest something should be done.

Example

Müssten wir nicht links abbiegen?

Shouldn't we turn left?

wir

[veer]

Pronoun for a group including the speaker.

Example

Wir arbeiten gern zusammen.

We like working together.

nicht

[nicht]

not

Used to negate a sentence.

Example

Dieses Angebot gibt's nicht mehr.

This offer no longer exists.

eigentlich

[EYE-gent-likh]

actually

Adverb meaning 'in fact' or 'really', often softening a statement.

Example

Eigentlich habe ich keine Zeit.

Actually, I don't have time.

über die Friedrichstraße fahren?

UE-ber dee FREED-rikh-shtrah-seh FAH-ren

drive via Friedrichstraße?

The route comes first and the infinitive 'fahren' goes at the end. Let your voice rise at the end.

Example

Sollen wir über die Autobahn fahren?

Should we take the motorway?

Words in this phrase

über

[UE-ber]

via / by way of

Used with routes: travelling through a place.

Example

Wir fahren über Berlin.

We're going via Berlin.

die

[dee]

the

Definite article used to specify something already known.

Example

Die Katze ist süß.

The cat is cute.

Friedrichstraße

[FREED-rikh-shtrah-seh]

Friedrich Street

A street name; 'Straße' means street.

Example

Das Hotel liegt in der Friedrichstraße.

The hotel is on Friedrich Street.

fahren

[FAH-ren]

drive / go

To travel by vehicle.

Example

Wir fahren mit dem Taxi.

We're going by taxi.

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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