German for English speakers Townhall · Lesson 0

Asking for instructions

Ask instructions in German — Wo muss ich unterschreiben? (Where do I have to sign?) — with the modal müssen.

Conversation

  1. Bob Bob

    Entschuldigen Sie, könnten Sie mir bitte sagen, wo ich unterschreiben soll?

    Excuse me, where am I supposed to sign?

  2. PX296 PX296

    Sie müssen unten links unterschreiben.

    You have to sign in the lower left hand corner.

  3. Bob Bob

    Also hier?

    Here?

    Tip: <Also> = lit. thus, it is often used when you want to be sure about something. It reinforces the question

  4. PX296 PX296

    Nein, nicht oben,sondern unten.

    No. Not at the top. At the bottom

    Tip: <sondern> = is used in the sense of “but no rather”

Common questions

Quick answers about this lesson's grammar and vocabulary.

Müssen vs sollen?

Müssen = must (necessity). Sollen = should / supposed to (expectation). Ich muss arbeiten (I must work). Ich soll arbeiten (I'm supposed to work).

German for 'sign / signature'?

Unterschreiben (sign, verb), die Unterschrift (signature, noun). Wo unterschreibe ich? = 'where do I sign?'.

What is die Ecke?

'Corner'. Die linke untere Ecke = the lower left corner. Useful for forms and documents.

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