sollen

Meaning

1. (auxiliary,preterite-present) should; to be obligated (to do something); ought; shall
2. (auxiliary,preterite-present) to be recommended (to do something); to be asked (to do something)
3. (auxiliary,preterite-present) to be intended (to do something); to be meant (to be something)
4. (auxiliary,preterite-present) to be said (to do something); reportedly; they say that; I hear that; so they say; rumor has it; supposedly.
5. (auxiliary,preterite-present) would; indicates that the subordinate clause indicates something that would happen in the past but after the time frame of the main clause
6. (auxiliary,preterite-present) should; indicates that the subordinate clause indicates a hypothetical and unlikely condition for the main clause

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈzɔlən/

Etymology

From Middle High German scholn, schuln, from Old High German sculan, skulan, scolan, from Proto-West Germanic *skulan.
Cognate with English shall and should, Dutch zullen, Danish skulle, Swedish skall and skulle.

Sentences

Meine Kinder sollen es einmal besser haben als ich .

I want my children to have it better than me.

Was sollen die Nachbarn von uns denken ?

What will the neighbors think?

Zum Gutsbesitzer sollen alle Wirtshäuser in der Kolonien gehören .

The landowner should include all taverns in the colonies.

Die Presse spricht von weiteren zwölf Bischöfen , die mit den Sicherheitsdiensten zusammengearbeitet haben sollen .

The press speaks of a further twelve bishops who are said to have worked with the security services.

Durch Pfosten markierte Bereiche und Wege sollen den Wanderer durch das ehemalige Militärgebiet leiten .

Areas and paths marked by posts are intended to guide the hiker through the former military area.