müssen
Translation
must (subjunctive), have to (subjunctive)
Examples
Er sagte, er müsse jetzt gehen.
He said he had to go now.
Der Chef meint, ich müsse das Projekt beenden.
The boss thinks I have to finish the project.
Grammar Patterns
((infinitive)) to have to do sth. (indirect speech) Er sagte, er müsse arbeiten.
Similar Words
Synonyms: solle, dürfe, könne (other Konjunktiv I forms of modal verbs)
Etymology
Konjunktiv I (subjunctive I) form of 'müssen' (to have to, must). From Old High German 'muozan'.
Memory Tips
Used in indirect speech to report a necessity. Think of it as reporting what someone 'must' do. The '-e' ending is typical for Konjunktiv I.