➡️🙏💯

How to Say ‘Then I have to be honest.’ in German

Dann muss ich ehrlich sein.

dan moos ikh AIR-likh zine

[dan moos ikh AIR-likh zine]

💬 Usage Tip: After muss, the main verb sein goes to the end. Compare ich muss morgen arbeiten "I have to work tomorrow".

🇩🇪 In Germany: Germans value this kind of directness. A restaurant that admits it can't guarantee safety is being helpful, not rude.

Phrase Breakdown

Dann muss ich

dan moos ikh

Then I have to

After 'dann' the verb comes second, so 'muss' comes before 'ich'. The 'u' in 'muss' is short.

Example

Dann muss ich nachfragen.

Then I have to check.

Words in this phrase

Dann

[dan]

then

Used to indicate a time following another event.

Example

Dann gehe ich nach Hause.

Then I will go home.

muss

[moos]

must, have to

Form of 'müssen' for ich/er/sie/es; expresses necessity.

Example

Ich muss leider absagen.

Unfortunately I have to cancel.

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

ehrlich sein.

AIR-likh zine

be honest.

'ehrlich' means honest. It has a long 'e' and a soft 'ch' at the end: AIR-lich.

Example

Ich will ehrlich sein.

I want to be honest.

Words in this phrase

ehrlich

[AIR-likh]

honest

Adjective describing someone who tells the truth and is sincere.

Example

Sie ist eine ehrliche Person.

She is an honest person.

sein

[zine]

Infinitive of the verb 'to be'.

Example

Du musst pünktlich sein.

You have to be on 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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