German Phrase
Was soll ich suchen?
Meaning
The speaker is asking what they are expected or supposed to look for. It can refer to a physical object, a piece of information, or a task that has been assigned but not clearly defined.
When to use
Use this question when you have been given a vague instruction or when you are in a situation like a scavenger hunt, a help‑desk call, or a classroom activity and you need clarification about the target of your search.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wassollichsuchen?
Interrogative pronoun
"Was" asks for a thing or information and occupies the first position in a yes‑no or wh‑question.
Modal verb placement
In main clauses the modal verb (soll) takes the second position, while the infinitive (suchen) moves to the end.
Subject‑verb order
The subject "ich" follows the modal verb, which is typical for German questions with a modal.
Infinitive without "zu"
After a modal verb the infinitive appears without the particle "zu" (e.g., "suchen", not "zu suchen").
🗨In Conversation
Kannst du mir das Buch im Regal holen?
Can you get the book from the shelf for me?
Was soll ich suchen?
What am I supposed to look for?
✕Common Mistakes
Was soll ich zu suchen?
After a modal verb the infinitive does NOT take the particle "zu".
Was sollst ich suchen?
The subject is "ich", so the correct modal form is "soll", not "sollst" (which is second‑person).
Was soll ich suchen??
Only one question mark is needed; double punctuation is considered a typo in formal writing.
↔Alternatives
Was muss ich suchen?
What must I look for?
Wonach soll ich suchen?
What should I search for?
Was soll ich finden?
What should I find?
Cultural Tip
In everyday German, "Was soll ich suchen?" can sound a bit formal or even slightly confrontational, implying that the speaker feels they are being told what to do. Native speakers often prefer "Wonach soll ich suchen?" when talking about searching for information online or in a store, because it focuses on the object of the search rather than the obligation.