German Phrase
Was sollte ich vermeiden?
Meaning
The sentence asks for advice about things that one ought to stay away from. It is a polite way to request a list of pitfalls, risks, or behaviours that could cause problems.
When to use
Use this question when you need guidance before starting a new activity—travel, cooking a new recipe, starting a project, or entering a social situation—especially when you want to hear what experienced speakers consider risky or undesirable.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wassollteichvermeiden?
Interrogativpronomen "Was"
"Was" is used to ask about things or actions, equivalent to "what" in English.
Konjunktiv II von "sollen" – "sollte"
"sollte" expresses a recommendation or suggestion, softer than the indicative "soll".
Verb "vermeiden"
"vermeiden" means "to avoid" and is a regular verb; it does not separate in this sentence.
Wortstellung in Fragen
In German yes‑no and wh‑questions, the finite verb (here "sollte") moves to the second position, followed by the subject.
🗨In Conversation
Ich möchte in Berlin ein Wochenende verbringen. Was sollte ich vermeiden?
I want to spend a weekend in Berlin. What should I avoid?
Vermeide es, nachts allein in wenig beleuchteten Gegenden zu laufen, und sei vorsichtig beim Bezahlen mit Bargeld auf der Straße.
Avoid walking alone at night in poorly lit areas, and be careful when paying with cash on the street.
✕Common Mistakes
Was soll ich vermeiden?
Using the present indicative "soll" changes the nuance to a stronger obligation rather than a suggestion.
Was vermeiden ich sollte?
German questions keep the verb in second position; the subject follows the verb.
Was sollte ich zu vermeiden?
Do not add "zu" after "vermeiden" in a direct question; the infinitive stands alone.
↔Alternatives
Was sollte ich nicht tun?
What should I not do?
Worauf sollte ich achten?
What should I pay attention to?
Gibt es etwas, das ich besser vermeiden sollte?
Is there something I should better avoid?
Cultural Tip
In German, "vermeiden" sounds a bit formal. In everyday conversation native speakers often use "nicht machen" or "darauf verzichten" for a more casual tone. Also, the Konjunktiv II "sollte" signals a gentle recommendation; using the indicative "soll" would sound more like a command or a strong necessity.