German Phrase
Mein Auto ist kaputt. Was soll ich machen?
Meaning
Literally, “My car is broken. What should I do?” The speaker is reporting a problem with their vehicle and asking for advice on the next steps.
When to use
Use this sentence when your car has broken down or suffered a mechanical failure and you need suggestions—whether you’re speaking to a friend, a mechanic, or a roadside‑assistance service.
✦Grammar Breakdown
MeinAutoistkaputt.Wassollichmachen?
Possessive Pronoun
„Mein“ is the masculine/neuter possessive pronoun meaning “my”. It agrees with the gender and case of the noun it modifies.
Neuter Noun
„Auto“ is a neuter noun (das Auto). In the nominative case it stays unchanged.
Verb “sein”
„ist“ is the 3rd‑person singular present of “sein” (to be) and is used for states and descriptions.
Predicative Adjective
„kaputt“ is an indeclinable adjective used predicatively after “sein” to describe something that is broken.
Modal Verb “sollen”
In “Was soll ich machen?” the modal verb “sollen” expresses advice or a recommendation. It is followed by the infinitive “machen”.
Word Order in Questions
German yes‑no and wh‑questions place the finite verb (soll) in second position, followed by the subject (ich) and the infinitive (machen).
🗨In Conversation
Mein Auto ist kaputt. Was soll ich machen?
My car is broken. What should I do?
Du könntest es zur Werkstatt bringen oder den Pannendienst rufen.
You could take it to a garage or call the roadside assistance.
✕Common Mistakes
Mein Auto ist kaputte.
The adjective “kaputt” stays unchanged after “sein”; do not add an ending.
Was soll ich machen?
While “machen” is understandable, native speakers more often use “tun” in this context.
Mein Auto ist kaputt. Was soll ich tun?
If you want a more colloquial tone, “mein Wagen” is preferred; avoid mixing “mein Auto” with “der Wagen”.
↔Alternatives
Mein Wagen ist defekt. Was soll ich tun?
My car is defective. What should I do?
Mein Auto geht nicht mehr. Was soll ich jetzt machen?
My car doesn’t work anymore. What should I do now?
Das Auto ist kaputt. Was soll ich jetzt machen?
The car is broken. What should I do now?
Cultural Tip
In Germany it’s common to call the ADAC (Allgemeiner Deutscher Automobil-Club) for roadside help. When speaking to a mechanic, you’ll often hear the word “Werkstatt” (garage) rather than “Garage”. “Auto” is neutral and everyday, while “Wagen” sounds a bit more colloquial. If you’re in a formal setting, you might replace “machen” with the more precise “tun”.