Verb

müssen

to have to, must, to need to

Ich muss jetzt gehen.

I have to go now.

Wir müssen morgen früh aufstehen.

We have to get up early tomorrow.

Das muss ein Fehler sein.

That must be a mistake.

to have to ((do sth.)) (obligation) Ich muss arbeiten.

must ((be sth.)) (deduction) Er muss zu Hause sein.

not to have to ((do sth.)) (lack of obligation) Du musst das nicht essen.

Synonyms: sollen; Antonyms: können, dürfen

From Old High German 'muozan'. Cognate with English 'must'.

Careful with negation: 'nicht müssen' means 'don't have to', NOT 'must not'. Use 'nicht dürfen' for 'must not'.

This page is designed for learning support. Please use it as a learning reference, not as a formal reference.