A1-28 · Say what you need to do with müssen
At the doctor
Describe simple symptoms and appointments, and put the infinitive at the end after müssen.
About 5 minutes to read · 13 quiz questions
01
I have to make an appointment
Müssen expresses a need or obligation. Use ich muss, du musst and er/sie muss. The other verb stays in its basic form at the end: Ich muss anrufen. Der Termin means appointment.
Ich muss einen Termin machen.
I have to make an appointment.
Du musst in der Praxis anrufen.
You have to call the medical practice.
Mara muss warten.
Mara has to wait.
Ich habe Kopfschmerzen.
I have a headache.
These are language examples about a fictional visit. Kopfschmerzen means a headache; Husten means a cough. Haben works with both: Ich habe Husten.
02
We have to wait
For plural subjects, use wir müssen, ihr müsst and sie müssen. Formal Sie also takes müssen. In the waiting room, the receptionist explains what happens next.
Wir müssen im Wartezimmer warten.
We have to wait in the waiting room.
Ihr müsst die Ärztin fragen.
You have to ask the doctor.
Die Patienten müssen warten.
The patients have to wait.
Sie müssen Ihren Namen sagen.
You have to say your name.
Die Praxis is the medical practice and das Wartezimmer the waiting room. Fragen means to ask. The modal verb changes with the subject; the final infinitive does not.
03
Questions and no obligation
In a yes/no question, put the modal first: Muss ich warten? Nicht müssen means not have to. It does not mean that something is forbidden.
Muss ich warten?
Do I have to wait?
Du musst heute nicht kommen.
You do not have to come today.
Ich muss nicht noch einmal anrufen.
I do not have to call again.
Müssen wir morgen kommen?
Do we have to come tomorrow?
Keep the infinitive at the end in statements and questions. The receptionist's answers apply only to this fictional appointment: you do not have to wait or call again.
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