Learn Hardcore German: Wir müssen das Dokument unbedingt speichern.

Müssen is a modal verb meaning “must” or “have to.” It expresses a necessity or obligation. In German, modal verbs are conjugated to agree with the subject: for wir (we), the correct form is müssen. Thus wir müssen translates to “we have to.”

Why is speichern at the end of the sentence?

In German main clauses with a modal verb, the finite (conjugated) verb occupies the second position, and the infinitive appears at the very end. This creates a “verb bracket.” Here:
1) Wir (subject)
2) müssen (finite verb)
…
n) speichern (infinitive).

What is the function of unbedingt, and how can I translate it?

Unbedingt is an adverb meaning “absolutely,” “definitely,” or “without fail.” It strengthens the obligation:
• Wir müssen das Dokument speichern. (We have to save the document.)
• Wir müssen das Dokument unbedingt speichern. (We absolutely must save the document.)

Why is das Dokument in the accusative case, and how do I recognize it?

Das Dokument is the direct object of speichern (“to save something”). In German, direct objects take the accusative case. You recognize the accusative neuter article by its form das, which happens to be identical to the nominative neuter, but its function here is clear because it follows the verb and answers “what?” (Was speichern wir? Das Dokument.)

Why is Dokument capitalized, but unbedingt isn’t?

In German, all nouns are always capitalized—Dokument is a noun. Adverbs like unbedingt (and verbs, adjectives, etc.) are not capitalized unless they begin a sentence.

Can I replace unbedingt with another adverb, like dringend?

Yes, but the nuance changes slightly:

unbedingt = absolutely/without exception
dringend = urgently, with time pressure
So Wir müssen das Dokument dringend speichern suggests “It’s urgent to save it,” whereas unbedingt stresses “it’s essential.”

What’s the difference between müssen and sollen?

• müssen expresses an internal or external necessity: “I/we must.”
• sollen expresses a recommendation or an instruction from someone else: “I/we should” or “I/we am/are supposed to.”
So Wir müssen das Dokument speichern = “We have to save the document,” whereas Wir sollen das Dokument speichern = “We are supposed to save the document.”

Can I put unbedingt in a different position in the sentence? Does that change the emphasis?

Yes. German word order is somewhat flexible for adverbs, but emphasis shifts:
• Wir müssen das Dokument unbedingt speichern. (neutral placement)
• Unbedingt müssen wir das Dokument speichern. (emphasizes “absolutely” as the main point)
• Wir müssen unbedingt das Dokument speichern. (emphasizes the object, as in “we absolutely must save that particular document”)

How would I form the question “Do we have to save the document?” in German?

Invert the finite verb and the subject:
Müssen wir das Dokument speichern?

How do I say “We don’t have to save the document” in German?

Use nicht to negate the infinitive:
Wir müssen das Dokument nicht speichern.