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How to Say ‘Do you still need surgery?’ in German

Musst du denn noch operiert werden?

moost doo den nohkh oh-peh-REERT VAIR-den

[moost doo den nohkh oh-peh-REERT VAIR-den]

Phrase Breakdown

Musst du denn noch

moost doo den nohkh

Do you still have to

The question opens with the modal verb, followed by the particles 'denn noch'. Say it smoothly in one breath.

Example

Musst du denn noch einkaufen?

Do you still have to go shopping?

Words in this phrase

Musst

[moost]

must

Form of 'müssen' for 'du'.

Example

Musst du heute arbeiten?

Do you have to work today?

[doo]

you

The pronoun 'du' in nominative form.

Example

Du bist schön.

You are beautiful.

denn

[den]

then / actually

A modal particle that makes a question sound more natural, like 'then' or 'actually.'

Example

Was ist denn mit der Heizung los?

So what is wrong with the heating?

noch

[nohkh]

Still

Refers to continuing in time.

Example

Ich bin noch am Arbeiten.

I am still working.

operiert werden?

oh-peh-REERT VAIR-den

have surgery (be operated on)?

This is the passive infinitive: past participle plus 'werden'. Stress the third syllable: o-pe-RIERT.

Example

Er muss am Montag operiert werden.

He has to have surgery on Monday.

Words in this phrase

operiert

[oh-peh-REERT]

operated on

Past participle of 'operieren', to perform surgery.

Example

Er wurde gestern operiert.

He was operated on yesterday.

werden

[VAIR-den]

be (passive)

Used with a participle to form the passive voice.

Example

Das muss repariert werden.

That has to be repaired.

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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