Adrianita8
How can I use "to be supposed to" in German? If I want to say something like: She was supposed to go shopping... or It´s supposedly ok to smoke there... Thanks in advance
Apr 22, 2011 3:02 AM
Answers · 8
1
OH that's a tough one. You need to learn the whole list of modals. But let's start here: be supposed to = sollen Sollst du nicht mitgehen? = Aren't you supposed to go along? Du sollst öfter hierher kommen. = You'r supposed to come here more often. supposedly OK = es geht angeblich it should be OK = es sollte gehen supposedly = 1. angeblich (it has been said); 2. vermeintlich (It is thought) There is a lot more detail in the dictionary.
April 22, 2011
1
It really depends on what you want to say exactly. There's no direct translation of "supposedly". She was supposed to go shopping (but didn't) = "Sie hätte einkaufen gehen sollen (hat es aber nicht getan)." It's supposedly ok to smoke here = Depends heavily on the situation. "Es ist wohl in Ordnung, hier zu rauchen" as a statement. If you say it as an answer to someone who's asking you to stop smoking, "Aber man darf doch hier rauchen, oder?". Etc.
April 22, 2011
1
You could use the conditional as well to express ' was supposed to do something' ,because she didn't do it in real. "Sie hätte -------- sollen" "She was supposed to ----."
April 22, 2011
Thank you all 3: Elliot, Cherry and Dirkt for the answers. They were all very helpful
April 22, 2011
Still haven’t found your answers?
Write down your questions and let the native speakers help you!