Subjective modal verb 'sollen' (rumor)

In its subjective use, the modal verb sollen reports hearsay - what other people say, without the speaker vouching for it. English renders this as is said to or is supposed to. The source is unspecified; the speaker simply passes the rumour on.

It is formed with the present-tense form soll(en) plus an infinitive:

• Er soll sehr reich sein. - He is said to be very rich.
• Das Restaurant soll ausgezeichnet sein. - The restaurant is supposed to be excellent.
• Sie soll im Ausland studiert haben. - She is said to have studied abroad. (with a past infinitive)

A paraphrase is Man sagt, dass … / Es heißt, dass …. The speaker neither confirms nor denies the claim.

Common mistakes:

• Confusing this with the deontic sollen (should / be supposed to do something). Du sollst pünktlich sein = you should be on time (obligation); Er soll reich sein = he is reportedly rich (hearsay).
• Mixing up soll (others say) with will (the subject's own claim): Er soll den Täter gesehen haben (people say so) vs. Er will den Täter gesehen haben (he claims it himself).

Subjective 'sollen' reports hearsay (is said to / supposedly).

Subjective use: reports a rumour / what people say.

Subjektives 'sollen' gibt Hörensagen wieder (es heißt, dass …).