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German Phrase

Wir müssen das Design fertig machen.

/viːɐ̯ ˈmʏsən das dɪˈzaɪ̯n ˈfɛʁtɪç ˈmaːkən/
Meaning"We have to finish the design."
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Meaning

The sentence means ‘We have to finish the design.’ It expresses a clear obligation to complete a design task, typically in a work or project setting.

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When to use

Use this phrase in meetings, project updates, or any situation where a team needs to state that the design work must be completed, especially when setting deadlines or assigning responsibilities.

✦Grammar Breakdown

WirmüssendasDesignfertigmachen

1

Wir

First‑person plural pronoun, the subject of the sentence.

2

müssen

Modal verb meaning ‘to have to / must’; it is conjugated for the subject and is followed by an infinitive without ‘zu’.

3

das

Definite article in the accusative neuter; it matches the gender of the noun ‘Design’.

4

Design

A neuter noun (das Design) borrowed from English; it declines like a regular German noun (das Design, des Designs).

5

fertig

Predicative adjective meaning ‘finished’; it stays uninflected when used with ‘machen’.

6

machen

Infinitive verb that completes the modal construction ‘müssen … machen’ (to have to do).

🗨In Conversation

A

Wir müssen das Design fertig machen.

We have to finish the design.

Ja, lass uns bis Freitag abschließen.

Yes, let’s finish it by Friday.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Wir müssen zu das Design fertig machen.

    Modal verbs are followed directly by the infinitive without ‘zu’.

  • Wir müssen der Design fertig machen.

    ‘Design’ is neuter, so the correct article is ‘das’, not ‘der’.

  • Wir das Design müssen fertig machen.

    In German the modal verb stays in second position; the infinitive goes to the end.

↔Alternatives

  • Wir müssen das Design abschließen.

    We have to complete the design.

  • Wir sollten das Design fertigstellen.

    We should finish the design.

  • Wir müssen das Design beenden.

    We must end the design.

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Cultural Tip

In German business communication ‘müssen’ sounds strong and decisive. If you want to sound a bit softer or more collaborative, you can replace it with ‘sollen’ or ‘sollten’. Also, ‘Design’ is a common English loanword in German and is treated as a neuter noun (das Design).