My First Steps with ‘Sollte’: Giving Health Advice in Germany

Okay, so, moving to Berlin was… a lot. The language, the bureaucracy, the sheer scale of everything. But honestly, one of the biggest hurdles, and one I’m still grappling with, is actually communicating effectively. I’m working as a freelance translator now, which is fantastic, but it’s also made me realize just how much I rely on basic phrases – and how easily I stumble. Today, I want to talk about one of the most common phrases I’ve been learning, and that’s ‘sollte’. It seems simple enough, but trust me, it’s tripped me up more than a few times.

Understanding ‘Sollte’ – It’s Not Just “Should”

In English, ‘should’ is pretty straightforward, right? It expresses advice or a recommendation. But ‘sollte’ in German… well, it’s a bit more nuanced. It’s not just “should.” It carries a stronger sense of obligation or possibility, particularly in the past. I realized this the hard way when I tried to tell my colleague, Markus, that I should see a doctor.

The First Conversation – A Hilarious Mistake

I was complaining about a persistent cough, feeling a bit run down. Markus, being a genuinely kind guy, asked, “Was sollst du denn machen?” (What should you do?). I, completely misunderstanding, blurted out, “Ich sollte nur viel schlafen!” (I should just sleep a lot!).

He stared at me, completely bewildered. Then his colleague, Sarah, gently explained, “Nein, nein! ‘Sollte’ in diesem Fall bedeutet, dass du eventuell zum Arzt gehen solltest. Es ist eine Möglichkeit, nicht unbedingt eine Anweisung.” (No, no! ‘Sollte’ here means that you might consider seeing a doctor. It’s a possibility, not necessarily an instruction.)

See? The difference is huge! ‘Sollte’ expresses a suggestion, a possibility. ‘Sollst du…’ (you should) feels like a direct command, which is… well, a little intense when you’re just feeling a bit under the weather.

Practical Examples with ‘Sollte’

Let’s look at some more realistic examples. Here’s how I’m starting to use it correctly:

• “Wenn du Kopfschmerzen hast, solltest du viel Wasser trinken.” (If you have a headache, you should drink a lot of water.) – This is a gentle suggestion.
• “Sollten Sie Fieber haben, gehen Sie zum Arzt.” (Should you have a fever, see a doctor.) – This is a more formal suggestion, typical for a doctor-patient conversation.
• “Ich denke, du solltest nicht so viel Kaffee trinken.” (I think you should not drink so much coffee.) – Offering an opinion.

Common Misunderstandings and How to Avoid Them

I’ve noticed a few recurring mistakes, and I’m sure many new learners make them too.

• Using ‘sollst du’ incorrectly: As I learned with Markus, using ‘sollst du’ gives the impression that you’re giving a direct order. Always pair it with ‘nehmen’ (take), ‘trinken’ (drink), ‘machen’ (do), etc.
• Overly forceful phrasing: Germans tend to prefer softer language when giving advice. Instead of saying, “Du musst zum Arzt gehen!” (You must go to the doctor!), try “Es wäre gut, wenn du zum Arzt gehen würdest.” (It would be good if you went to the doctor.)

Asking for Advice – ‘Was sollte ich…?’

One of the best ways I’ve been practicing is by asking for advice. I went to the Apotheke (pharmacy) yesterday with a rash and asked the pharmacist, “Was sollte ich jetzt tun?” (What should I do now?). He recommended a cream and explained that I sollte it only a few times a day.

My Progress – Slowly But Surely

It’s still challenging, honestly. My brain keeps defaulting to the direct ‘sollst du’ phrasing! But I’m actively trying to think in terms of suggestions and possibilities. I’m writing down phrases, repeating them, and asking native speakers to correct me. Each small conversation, each corrected mistake, feels like a victory. Learning ‘sollte’ is definitely helping me navigate everyday health advice in Germany – and that, I think, is a really important step in feeling more comfortable and confident here. Ich glaube, ich mache Fortschritte! (I believe I’m making progress!)

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