German Phrase
Das Produkt funktioniert nicht so, wie es soll.
Meaning
The sentence means ‘The product does not work the way it is supposed to.’ It conveys disappointment that the item fails to meet the expected performance or specifications.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to politely complain about a malfunctioning product, whether you’re speaking to customer service, a retailer, or a friend who lent you the item.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DasProduktfunktioniertnichtso,wieessoll.
Verb: funktionieren
‘funktionieren’ is a regular verb meaning ‘to work/function’. In the present tense it conjugates as ‘funktioniert’ for third‑person singular.
Negation: nicht
‘nicht’ negates the verb or the whole clause. It is placed directly before the element it negates – here before the verb phrase.
Comparison clause: so, wie
‘so, wie’ introduces a comparative clause meaning ‘the way that’. The comma is mandatory in written German.
Modal verb: sollen
‘soll’ is the third‑person singular present of ‘sollen’, used here to express an expectation or intended behavior.
🗨In Conversation
Das Produkt funktioniert nicht so, wie es soll.
The product doesn’t work the way it’s supposed to.
Oh, das tut mir leid. Wir können es umtauschen oder reparieren.
Oh, I’m sorry about that. We can exchange it or have it repaired.
✕Common Mistakes
Das Produkt ist nicht so, wie es soll.
‘ist’ means ‘is’; the correct verb for ‘to work’ is ‘funktionieren’. Using ‘ist’ changes the meaning to ‘the product is not …’
Das Produkt funktioniert nicht so, wie es sollte.
‘sollte’ is the subjunctive form and sounds hypothetical. In this context you need the present ‘soll’ to express the intended function.
Das Produkt funktioniert nicht so wie es soll.
The comma after ‘so’ is required in written German; omitting it is a common error.
↔Alternatives
Das Gerät arbeitet nicht wie erwartet.
The device does not work as expected.
Es funktioniert nicht so, wie es funktionieren sollte.
It doesn’t function the way it should.
Das Produkt ist defekt und erfüllt nicht die Vorgaben.
The product is defective and does not meet the specifications.
Cultural Tip
German speakers tend to be direct but courteous when reporting a problem. Using ‘soll’ signals that you are referring to the manufacturer’s or seller’s promise, not just a personal expectation. In formal contexts, you might add ‘leider’ (unfortunately) to soften the complaint.