a) Müssen - is translated as "must, have to" it is used to express an obligation that you have to carry out.
|
| Indicative |
Present |
Past |
| Ich |
Muss |
Musste |
| Du |
Musst |
Musstest |
| Er, sie, est |
Muss |
Musste |
| Wir |
Müssen |
Mussten |
| Ihr |
Müsst |
Musstet |
| Sie |
Müssen |
Mussten |
Here are some examples: |
| Ich muss die Geldstrafe zahlen |
I have to pay the fine |
| Ich muss nach Paris fahren |
I have to go to Paris (for some motive, it is obligatory for me to go) |
| Sie muss das Essen machen |
She should prepare the food |
b) Sollen - This verb is also translated as "must/have to", but in this case the verb implies that the speaker of the sentence has imposed the duty, in the sense that it would be convenient for the speaker to carry out the task.
|
| Indicative |
Present |
Past |
| Ich |
Soll |
Sollte |
| Du |
Sollst |
Solltest |
| Er, sie, est |
Soll |
Sollte |
| Wir |
Sollen |
Sollten |
| Ihr |
Sollt |
Solltet |
| Sie |
Sollen |
Sollten |
Here you can see the difference with "dürfen": |
| Ich soll nicht rauchen |
I mustn't smoke (as it's bad for my health) |
| Du darfst nicht rauchen |
You mustn't smoke (the doctor says) |
Other examples with the verb "sollen": |
| Ich soll Englisch lernen |
I must study English (because I have an exam soon) |
| Ich soll zu Hause anrufen |
I must ring home (my parents want me to call them) |
