German Modal Verb Sollen Explained

Sollen is the last of the six German modal verbs — the one you reach for when an obligation comes from someone else's expectation, not your own necessity. In this lesson, we cover the conjugation of sollen, its main uses, and how it differs from the stronger müssen.

Conjugation of Sollen

ich soll, du sollst, er/sie/es soll, wir sollen, ihr sollt, sie/Sie sollen.

Main Uses of Sollen

Reporting an instruction from someone else: Ich soll um 8 Uhr da sein. (I'm supposed to be there at 8 — someone told me to.) Asking for advice: Soll ich das machen? (Should I do that?) Passing along a recommendation: Der Arzt sagt, ich soll mehr schlafen. (The doctor says I should sleep more.)

Sollen vs. Müssen

Sollen expresses an obligation based on someone else's wish, expectation, or advice — it's softer and often optional. Müssen expresses a stronger, more absolute necessity, often from a rule or law. See our full guide to the 10 most common German verbs to see müssen and other essentials in context, and our breakdown of können, the modal verb for ability, to round out the full set of six.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you conjugate “sollen” in German?

Ich soll, du sollst, er/sie/es soll, wir sollen, ihr sollt, sie/Sie sollen.

What does “sollen” express in German?

An obligation or expectation coming from someone else — an instruction, advice, or recommendation — rather than a personal necessity.

What's the difference between “sollen” and “müssen”?

Sollen is softer, based on someone else's wish or advice; müssen is stronger, based on necessity, rules, or law.

How do you ask for advice using “sollen”?

Soll ich das machen? (Should I do that?)

Is “sollen” one of the six German modal verbs?

Yes — sollen completes the set alongside können, mögen, wollen, müssen, and dürfen.

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