German Phrase
Sollen wir reingehen?
Meaning
A polite suggestion meaning “Should we go in?” or “Shall we go inside?”. It asks for the group’s opinion before entering a room, building, or any enclosed space.
When to use
Use this phrase when you stand at a doorway with others and want to check if it’s appropriate to enter, or when you’re deciding together whether to start a meeting, a tour, or any activity that begins by going inside.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Sollenwirreingehen?
Sollen (modal verb)
Used to propose a suggestion or ask for advice; it does not express a strict obligation here.
Wir (personal pronoun)
First‑person plural subject; the verb form follows the modal verb.
Reingehen (separable verb)
The prefix "rein" separates in main clauses (e.g., "Wir gehen rein"), but stays attached to the infinitive after a modal verb.
Word order with modal verbs
In questions, the modal verb comes first, followed by the subject, then the infinitive (including the separable prefix).
🗨In Conversation
Sollen wir reingehen?
Shall we go in?
Ja, lass uns gehen.
Yes, let's go.
✕Common Mistakes
Sollen wir gehen rein?
The separable prefix must stay with the infinitive after a modal verb.
Müssen wir reingehen?
"Müssen" expresses obligation, not a polite suggestion.
Sollen wir reingehen wir?
Avoid repeating the subject after the infinitive.
↔Alternatives
Wollen wir reingehen?
Do we want to go in?
Gehen wir rein?
Shall we go in?
Sollen wir jetzt reingehen?
Should we go in now?
Möchten wir reingehen?
Would we like to go in?
Cultural Tip
In everyday German, "reingehen" (colloquial) is more common than the formal "hereingehen". Using "sollen" for a suggestion sounds slightly formal; friends often prefer "Wollen wir…?" or the simple "Gehen wir rein?". Remember that after a modal verb the separable prefix stays attached to the infinitive (reingehen), not at the end of the clause.