German Modal Verbs

Modalverben

Modal verbs are essential in everyday German communication. They express ability, necessity, permission, intention, and advice.

Common Mistakes

Modal verbs are simple in meaning but tricky in structure.

  • Forgetting to move the main verb to the end.
  • Conjugating the main verb instead of the modal verb.
  • Using wrong singular forms (kann vs können).
  • Mixing 'möchten' and 'wollen' incorrectly.

Questions to Ask Yourself

Before using a modal verb, check the meaning and structure.

  • What meaning do I want (can, must, want, etc.)?
  • Is the modal verb correctly conjugated?
  • Is the main verb at the end?
  • Is this a question or statement?
  • Is the tone formal or polite?

What Are Modal Verbs?

Modal verbs modify the meaning of another verb. They express necessity, ability, permission, or desire. In German, they are always used with a second verb in infinitive form.

Common Modal Verbs

These are the most frequently used modal verbs in German.

VerbMeaningExample
könnencan / to be able toIch kann schwimmen.
müssenmust / have toIch muss arbeiten.
dürfenmay / be allowed toDu darfst gehen.
sollenshould / supposed toIch soll lernen.
wollenwant toIch will schlafen.
möchtenwould like toIch möchte Kaffee.
Ich kann Deutsch lernen.I can learn German.
Er muss arbeiten.He must work.
Wir wollen nach Hause gehen.We want to go home.

Modal Verb Conjugation

Modal verbs have irregular conjugation patterns, especially in singular forms.

Subjectkönnenmüssendürfen
ichkannmussdarf
dukannstmusstdarfst
er/sie/eskannmussdarf
wirkönnenmüssendürfen
ihrkönntmüsstdürft
sie/Siekönnenmüssendürfen

Example Sentences

Ich kann heute nicht kommen.I cannot come today.
Du musst lernen.You must learn.
Er darf hier nicht rauchen.He is not allowed to smoke here.
Wir wollen Fußball spielen.We want to play football.
Ich möchte einen Kaffee.I would like a coffee.

Modal Verbs in Questions

In questions, the modal verb moves to the front.

Kann ich gehen?Can I go?
Musst du arbeiten?Do you have to work?
Willst du essen?Do you want to eat?

Infinitive at the End

The main verb always moves to the end of the sentence when a modal verb is used.

Meaning Differences Between Modal Verbs

Each modal verb changes the meaning of the sentence in a specific way.

Modal VerbMeaningExample
könnenabilityIch kann schwimmen.
müssenobligationIch muss arbeiten.
dürfenpermissionDu darfst gehen.
sollenadvice / expectationDu sollst lernen.
wollenintentionIch will schlafen.
möchtenpolite desireIch möchte Tee.
  • The modal verb is conjugated and stays in position 2.
  • The main verb goes to the end in infinitive form.
  • The sentence has two verbs, but only one is conjugated.
  • In questions, the modal verb comes first.

Sentence Structure with Modal Verbs

Modal verbs change German word order rules.

More German grammar