Modal verbs in German are used to express ability, permission, necessity, desire, and obligation. The six main modal verbs are dürfen (may/allowed to), können (can/able to), mögen (like), müssen (must/have to), sollen (should/ought to), and wollen (want to). They are always used together with a main verb in the infinitive form.
Usage
Each modal verb conveys a different meaning. The main verb follows in the infinitive form, placed at the end of the sentence.
- dürfen = to be allowed to (permission)
- können = to be able to / can (ability or possibility)
- mögen = to like
- müssen = to have to / must (necessity)
- sollen = should / ought to (duty or advice)
- wollen = to want to (desire)
Examples
- Ich darf heute spät schlafen. (I am allowed to sleep late today.)
- Du kannst gut tanzen. (You can dance well.)
- Wir mögen Schokolade. (We like chocolate.)
- Er muss früh aufstehen. (He must get up early.)
- Ihr sollt mehr Wasser trinken. (You should drink more water.)
- Ich will ins Kino gehen. (I want to go to the cinema.)
Conjugation Patterns
Modal verbs are irregular but follow a consistent pattern in the present tense. All endings are added to the stem, and the main verb remains in the infinitive form at the sentence end.
Present Tense
| Pronoun | dürfen | können | mögen | müssen | sollen | wollen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ich | darf | kann | mag | muss | soll | will |
| du | darfst | kannst | magst | musst | sollst | willst |
| er/sie/es | darf | kann | mag | muss | soll | will |
| wir | dürfen | können | mögen | müssen | sollen | wollen |
| ihr | dürft | könnt | mögt | müsst | sollt | wollt |
| sie/Sie | dürfen | können | mögen | müssen | sollen | wollen |
Past Tense (Perfect)
Modal verbs are used with haben. The main verb remains in the infinitive form, placed at the end after the modal verb in the past participle form (e.g., gedurft, gekönnt).
| Pronoun | Example with können (machen) |
|---|---|
| ich | Ich habe ... machen können. |
| du | Du hast ... machen können. |
| er/sie/es | Er hat ... machen können. |
| wir | Wir haben ... machen können. |
| ihr | Ihr habt ... machen können. |
| sie/Sie | Sie haben ... machen können. |
Note: The modal verb precedes the main verb in the infinitive at the end.*
Word Order
The modal verb is conjugated and occupies the second position in a main clause. The main verb in infinitive moves to the sentence end.
Examples
- Ich kann heute nicht kommen. (I cannot come today.)
- Wir müssen jetzt gehen. (We must go now.)
- Darf ich mal helfen? (May I help?)
Complete the sentence: Ich ___ heute nicht kommen. (können)
kann
'Ich' form conjugates 'können' as 'kann.' The main verb 'kommen' remains at the end.
Context and Usage
Modal verbs can change meaning depending on the context and other words:
- mögen often appears as möchte (would like) in polite requests.
- sollen can reflect duty (from authority) or advice.
- dürfen indicates permission but can also express prohibition in the negative.
- können may imply possibility, skill, or permission, depending on context.
Polite Requests
- möchten (subjunctive of mögen) is commonly used for polite offers and requests:
- Ich möchte einen Kaffee. (I would like a coffee.)
- Möchten Sie noch etwas? (Would you like something else?)
What is 'möchten' used for in German?
Polite requests and offers.
'Möchten' is a subjunctive form of 'mögen' used to make polite requests and offers.
Summary
- Modal verbs modify the meaning of the main verb.
- The main verb stays in the infinitive at the sentence end.
- Conjugate only the modal verb.
- Use möchten for polite requests.
- Watch for context to determine the exact meaning.
By mastering modal verbs, you can express a wide range of nuances in ability, permission, necessity, desire, and advice in German.
Last updated: Wed Jun 18, 2025
