German Phrase
Wann soll ich kommen?
Meaning
The sentence asks for the appropriate time to arrive, usually in a context where the speaker has been invited or scheduled for an appointment. It conveys a polite request for clarification rather than a demand.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need to confirm the exact time you should show up—whether it’s a meeting, a dinner invitation, a class, or a social gathering. It works in both formal and informal settings, though you may add a polite ‘bitte’ for extra courtesy.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Wannsollichkommen?
Wann (interrogative adverb)
Used to ask about time; placed at the beginning of a yes‑no or wh‑question.
soll (modal verb)
Expresses a suggestion, expectation, or instruction from someone else; conjugated as 'soll' for 'ich'.
ich (subject pronoun)
First‑person singular pronoun; follows the modal verb in a main‑clause question.
kommen (infinitive)
The main verb stays in infinitive after a modal verb; here it means 'to come'.
Verb‑second (V2) word order
In German main‑clause questions the finite verb ('soll') occupies the second position, after the interrogative adverb.
🗨In Conversation
Wann soll ich kommen?
When should I come?
Um 19 Uhr wäre ideal, danke!
7 p.m. would be ideal, thank you!
✕Common Mistakes
Wann muss ich kommen?
‘Muss’ expresses obligation, not a suggestion or invitation; it sounds too strong in this context.
Ich soll wann kommen?
German questions follow V2 order; the interrogative adverb must come first, then the finite verb.
Wann kommen soll ich?
The infinitive stays at the end; moving it before the verb breaks the standard word order.
↔Alternatives
Um wie viel Uhr soll ich kommen?
At what time should I come?
Zu welchem Zeitpunkt soll ich kommen?
At which point in time should I come?
Welcher Zeitpunkt passt dir am besten?
Which time works best for you?
Cultural Tip
Germans value punctuality, so confirming the exact arrival time is considered courteous. In a formal context (e.g., business meeting) you might add ‘Bitte’ or use the polite form ‘Sie’: ‘Wann sollen Sie kommen?’ In casual settings, a simple ‘Wann soll ich kommen?’ is perfectly natural.