mussten
Translation
had to
Examples
Wir mussten gestern lange arbeiten.
We had to work late yesterday.
Sie mussten den Bus nehmen.
They had to take the bus.
Ich musste das Buch zurückgeben.
I had to return the book.
Grammar Patterns
((to do sth.)) had to do sth. They mussten to leave early.
Similar Words
sollten (should have), konnten (could), durften (were allowed to)
Etymology
Simple past (Präteritum) form of the verb 'müssen'. Note the absence of the umlaut.
Memory Tips
'mussten' without an umlaut refers to a real past obligation: 'had to'. This distinguishes it from the hypothetical 'müssten' (with an umlaut).