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How to Say ‘Unfortunately I would need to change that’ in German

Ich müsste das leider ändern

ikh MUES-teh dahs EN-dern

[ikh MUES-teh dahs EN-dern]

💬 Usage Tip: With müsste, the main action verb ändern goes to the very end. Swap it: Ich müsste das leider absagen "Unfortunately I'd have to cancel that".

Phrase Breakdown

Ich müsste

ikh MUES-teh

I would have to

A polite subjunctive of 'müssen'.

Example

Ich müsste noch einkaufen.

I would still have to go shopping.

Words in this phrase

Ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

müsste

[MUES-teh]

would have to

Subjunctive form of 'müssen'; a polite, softened 'must'.

Example

Ich müsste morgen früher gehen.

I would have to leave earlier tomorrow.

das leider ändern

dahs EN-dern

unfortunately change that

'leider' (unfortunately) softens the request. The infinitive comes last.

Example

Wir müssen das leider absagen.

Unfortunately, we have to cancel that.

Words in this phrase

das

[dahs]

that / it

'Das' can mean 'that' or 'it', depending on context.

Example

Das macht Spaß beim WM-Schauen.

That is fun when watching the World Cup.

leider

ändern

[EN-dern]

to change

Verb meaning to alter or modify something.

Example

Können wir die Uhrzeit ändern?

Can we change the time?

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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