My First Month of Giving Health Advice in Berlin – And ‘Sollte’ is My Biggest Challenge

Okay, so, let me tell you, moving to Berlin was amazing. The history, the food, the coffee. Seriously, the coffee is incredible. But trying to actually live here, you know, with a job and everything… it’s been a crash course in, well, everything. And one thing that’s been particularly tricky is giving people health advice. It’s not just about knowing the words, it’s about the way you say them, and this “sollte” thing… it’s messing with my head.

The Initial Confusion: ‘Sollte’ – What Is It Anyway?

I’d been studying German for a few months before I moved, and “sollte” seemed relatively straightforward. It’s the conditional form of “sollen” (should), right? I thought it would be easy to use when suggesting something politely. I was so wrong. It’s thrown me for a loop! Basically, it means “should” or “ought to,” but the way it’s used in actual conversations is…complicated. It’s not just a simple suggestion like “Du solltest Sport machen!” (You should do sports!). It feels like it carries so much more weight.

My First Patient – Frau Schmidt and a Sore Throat

My job is at a small pharmacy in Prenzlauer Berg. It’s hectic, but a fantastic way to practice my German. Yesterday, an older woman, Frau Schmidt, came in complaining of a sore throat. I wanted to be helpful, so I tried to give her some advice.

“Frau Schmidt, Sie sollten viel trinken,” I said, feeling confident. (Mrs. Schmidt, you should drink a lot.)

She looked at me, completely bewildered. “Aber ich trinke doch schon viel Wasser!” (But I’m already drinking a lot of water!)

That’s when it hit me. I’d used “sollte” in a way that sounded like a strict instruction, like she had to drink a lot. It wasn’t the gentle ‘suggestion’ I intended. The pharmacist, Herr Müller, quickly stepped in. “Es ist richtig, dass Sie trinken sollten, aber es ist eher ein Vorschlag. Manchmal hilft es, auch Lutschtabletten zu nehmen.” (It’s true that you should drink, but it’s more of a suggestion. Sometimes it helps to take lozenges too.)

Breaking Down the Conversation – What I Should Have Said

The key, Herr Müller explained, is that “sollte” often feels like a recommendation, a possibility, not a command. It’s better to use phrases like:

• “Es wäre gut, wenn…” (It would be good if…) – “Es wäre gut, wenn Sie viel trinken.” (It would be good if you drank a lot.)
• “Vielleicht könnten Sie…” (Maybe you could…) – “Vielleicht könnten Sie Lutschtabletten nehmen.” (Maybe you could take lozenges.)
• “Sie könnten…” (You could…) – “Sie könnten auch einen Tee trinken.” (You could also drink tea.)

These feel much softer, more polite, and less likely to make someone feel like they’re being told what to do.

Another Misunderstanding – My Friend, Luke, and His Cough

Last week, my friend Luke came to me with a cough. I, again, tried to be helpful. “Luke, du solltest zum Arzt gehen!” (Luke, you should go to the doctor!)

He stared at me, completely exasperated. “Warum immer ‘sollte’? Ich werde es machen! Ich bin nicht dumm!” (Why always ‘should’? I’m going to do it! I’m not stupid!)

I realized I was being overly forceful. It’s a common trap, I think, because “sollte” seems so direct, but in German culture, people value autonomy. I quickly corrected myself. “Entschuldigen Sie, Luke. Es ist nur ein Vorschlag. Vielleicht ist es nur eine Erkältung.” (Sorry, Luke. It’s just a suggestion. Maybe it’s just a cold.)

Practical Vocabulary – Phrases I’m Actually Using

Here’s some everyday vocabulary that’s really useful when offering health advice:

• Einen Arzt/eine Ärztin aufsuchen – To see a doctor
• Sich auskurieren – To recover
• Schmerzen haben – To have pain
• Etwas trinken/essen – To drink/eat
• Sich ausruhen – To rest
• Die Ruhe bewahren – To remain calm

The Importance of ‘Bitte’ and ‘Vielleicht’

I’m learning that using “bitte” (please) and “vielleicht” (maybe) is crucial when offering advice. “Bitte, Sie sollten einen Schmerzmittel nehmen.” (Please, you should take a painkiller.) sounds so much better than just “Sie sollten einen Schmerzmittel nehmen!”

My Ongoing Learning – It’s a Process!

Honestly, dealing with “sollte” is a constant learning experience. I’m still making mistakes, but I’m getting better. I’m talking to Herr Müller and Frau Schmidt, asking them to correct me. And I’m focusing on using the softer, more nuanced phrases. It’s not about perfect grammar; it’s about communication and showing respect. Giving health advice in Berlin is proving to be a surprisingly challenging (and rewarding!) part of adapting to this new life. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go drink a glass of water… just in case!