'Müssen' Definition

What is the meaning of the German word 'Müssen'?

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The word 'Müssen' is a German word that can mean 'Must' in English. You can find example sentences below to help you understand how to use the word in context.

Definition of 'Müssen' in English

Müssen - Must

verb

The verb 'müssen' is commonly used in German to express obligation or necessity. It is equivalent to 'must' or 'have to' in English.

💡 Silly memory trick! To remember 'müssen,' think of it as 'MUST' in English. It's a strong obligation or necessity, just like 'must' in English.

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German Challenges

Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb 'sprechen' to mean 'to talk about'?

Sie spricht immer von ihrem Bruder

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The correct preposition to use with 'sprechen' to convey the meaning of 'to talk about' is 'von'. The phrase formed is 'sprechen von'. The sentence 'Sie spricht immer von ihrem Bruder' translates to 'She always talks about her brother.' The other prepositions cannot be used to express the concept of talking about something. Note that 'sprechen von' requires the dative case.
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Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the genitive case for the neuter noun "Kind" (Noun)?

Das Haus des Kindes ist groß

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The genitive case is used for possession. The correct definite article for neuter nouns in the genitive case is "des." Thus, the sentence should be "Das Haus des Kindes ist groß", which translates to "The child's house is big" in English.
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "dürfen" to fit the sentence below.

Ihr dürft nicht rauchen.

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The correct form for 'dürfen' in the third person plural for a negative statement is 'dürfen'. The full translation is "You (plural) may not smoke".
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "liegen" in this sentence?

Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch

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The correct preposition to use with "liegen" is "auf", making the expression "liegen auf". The sentence "Das Buch liegt auf dem Tisch" means "The book is on the table". Did you know? Prepositions in German can change the case of the noun that follows them. In the case of "liegen auf", the preposition "auf" requires the noun to be in the dative case.
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb 'fahren' to mean 'to drive to'?

Er fährt zu seiner Arbeit

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The correct preposition to use with 'fahren' to convey the meaning of 'to drive to' is 'zu', forming the phrase 'fahren zu'. The sentence 'Er fährt zu seiner Arbeit' translates to 'He is driving to his work.' The other prepositions are not used to express the concept of driving to a place. Fun Fact: 'Fahren zu' requires the dative case, as it typically involves a direction or destination – the place being driven to.
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb "kaufen" to mean "to buy for"?

Ich kaufe ein Geschenk für meine Freundin

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The correct preposition to use with "kaufen" to convey the meaning of "to buy for" is "für", making the expression "kaufen für". The sentence "Ich kaufe ein Geschenk für meine Freundin" means "I am buying a gift for my girlfriend." The other prepositions cannot be used to express the act of buying something for someone. Remember: In German, prepositions can change the case of the noun that follows them. In the case of "kaufen für", the preposition "für" requires the noun to be in the accusative case.
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Beginner

Which form of the verb 'fühlen' correctly completes the sentence?

Ich gehe heute nicht zur Arbeit, weil ich mich nicht gut fühle.

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'Fühle' is the correct first-person singular form of the verb 'fühlen', which translates to 'feel' in English. In the context of this sentence, 'fühle' is used to express how the speaker is feeling physically. The other options are other forms of 'fühlen', but they are not correct in this context. 'Fühlt' is third-person singular, 'gefühlt' is the past participle used for perfect tense, and 'fühlte' is simple past tense.
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "müssen" to fit the sentence below

Sie müssen das Buch lesen, es ist unglaublich.

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The correct form for 'müssen' in the third person formal or plural is 'müssen'. For the sentence "Sie müssen das Buch lesen, es ist unglaublich.", the full translation is "You have to (must) read the book, it is incredible"
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Beginner

Which adjective correctly describes the feminine noun in the nominative case?

Er fand eine alte, verfallene Hütte

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The adjective 'alte' is the correct word to use here because it is in the nominative case, feminine form. This adjective describes the noun 'Hütte', which is a feminine noun. 'Alt', the base form of the adjective, 'alten', the masculine or dative plural form, and 'altes', the neutral form, would all be incorrect in this context because they do not match the gender of the noun being described.
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "wollen" to fit the sentence.

Ihr wollt tanzen lernen

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The correct form for 'wollen' in the second person plural is 'wollt'. The full translation is "You (plural) want to learn to dance".
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