Modal Verbs
Modal verbs express ability, necessity, permission, desire, and obligation. They are essential for everyday communication in German.
The six modal verbs are: können (can), müssen (must), sollen (should), wollen (want), dürfen (may/be allowed), mögen (like).
This lesson covers how to use modal verbs in German.
Explanation
Modal verbs are conjugated irregularly and are followed by an infinitive (without 'zu'): 'Ich kann Deutsch sprechen' (I can speak German).
Conjugation: können → ich kann, du kannst, er/sie/es kann, wir können, ihr könnt, sie können.
Modal verbs send the infinitive to the end: 'Ich kann morgen kommen' (I can come tomorrow).
In perfect tense, modal verbs use 'haben' and the infinitive stays as infinitive: 'Ich habe kommen können' (I have been able to come).
Modal Verbs - Present Tense
| Verb | ich | du | er/sie/es | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| können | kann | kannst | kann | can/be able to |
| müssen | muss | musst | muss | must/have to |
| sollen | soll | sollst | soll | should/ought to |
| wollen | will | willst | will | want to |
| dürfen | darf | darfst | darf | may/be allowed to |
| mögen | mag | magst | mag | like |
Examples
Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
I can speak German.
Er muss zur Schule gehen.
He must go to school.
Wir sollen früher kommen.
We should come earlier.
Sie will ein Buch lesen.
She wants to read a book.
Du darfst hier rauchen.
You may smoke here.
Ich mag Pizza.
I like pizza.
Common Mistakes
Ich kann zu sprechen
Ich kann sprechen
After modal verbs, use infinitive without 'zu'. 'sprechen', not 'zu sprechen'.
Ich kann spreche
Ich kann sprechen
After modal verbs, use infinitive form, not conjugated form. 'sprechen', not 'spreche'.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with interactive exercises. Practice makes perfect!
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Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know which article to use?
German articles (der, die, das) depend on the gender of the noun. While there are some patterns, many nouns must be memorized. Practice and exposure to German will help you learn them naturally.
What's the difference between definite and indefinite articles?
Definite articles (der, die, das) mean 'the' and refer to specific things. Indefinite articles (ein, eine) mean 'a/an' and refer to non-specific things. Both must match the noun's gender: use 'ein' for masculine/neuter and 'eine' for feminine.
Are there rules for determining noun gender?
While there are some helpful patterns (e.g., words ending in -ung are usually feminine), there are many exceptions. The best approach is to learn nouns with their articles from the beginning.
What happens if I use the wrong article?
While using the wrong article is a common mistake, native speakers will usually still understand you. However, using the correct article is important for sounding natural and fluent in German.