Modal Verbs
Modal verbs express necessity, ability, permission, or intention, and they shape how an action is understood or planned. This guide covers the key modals that learners use to make requests, offers, plans, and requirements.
Key Modals
Key modals include poder, deber, querer, tener que, and haber de, each serving a distinct function like permission, advice, intention, or obligation. Examples show them in everyday contexts.
Poder (to be able to / can)
Use poder to ask for or give permission and to express ability. The verb is typically followed by an infinitive when indicating an action.
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| yo puedo | I can / I am able to |
| tú puedes | you can / you are able to |
| él/ella/usted puede | he/she/you (formal) can / is able to |
| nosotros/as podemos | we can / we are able to |
| vosotros/as podéis | you all can / you all are able to |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes pueden | they/you all (formal) can / are able to |
Deber (should / to have to)
Deber expresses advice or moral obligation and is followed by an infinitive for recommending an action. It can also imply a strong duty depending on context.
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| yo debo | I should / I must |
| tú debes | you should / you must |
| él/ella/usted debe | he/she/you (formal) should / must |
| nosotros/as debemos | we should / we must |
| vosotros/as debéis | you all should / you all must |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes deben | they/you all (formal) should / must |
Querer (to want)
Querer expresses desire or intention to do something and is followed by an infinitive when indicating an action. It can soften requests when used in polite contexts.
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| yo quiero | I want |
| tú quieres | you want |
| él/ella/usted quiere | he/she/you (formal) wants |
| nosotros/as queremos | we want |
| vosotros/as queréis | you all want |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes quieren | they/you all (formal) want |
Tener que (to have to)
Tener que expresses external or concrete obligation and is followed by an infinitive for required actions. It is very common for practical duties and deadlines.
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| yo tengo que | I have to |
| tú tienes que | you have to |
| él/ella/usted tiene que | he/she/you (formal) has to |
| nosotros/as tenemos que | we have to |
| vosotros/as tenéis que | you all have to |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes tienen que | they/you all (formal) have to |
Haber de (to have to / to be supposed to)
Haber de is more formal or literary and expresses obligation or intention; it is followed by an infinitive. It can sound tentative or binding depending on context.
| Spanish Conjugation | English Translation |
|---|---|
| yo he de | I have to / I am supposed to |
| tú has de | you have to / you are supposed to |
| él/ella/usted ha de | he/she/you (formal) has to / is supposed to |
| nosotros/as hemos de | we have to / we are supposed to |
| vosotros/as habéis de | you all have to / you all are supposed to |
| ellos/ellas/ustedes han de | they/you all (formal) have to / are supposed to |
Summary
Modal verbs frame necessity, permission, ability, and intention, so choosing the right one guides meaning and tone. Practice them in short sentences to make requests, give advice, state plans, and set obligations clearly.
Last updated: Sun Sep 14, 2025