Modal verbs show ability, necessity, permission, or intention and shape how actions are understood.
Key Modals
Key modals each serve a different function like expressing ability, obligation, or permission, and they often appear with an infinitive.
Poder
Poder expresses ability or permission and is used when someone can do something or is allowed to do it.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| puedo | I can / I am able to | |
| puedes | you can / you are able to | |
| puede | he/she/it can / is able to | |
| podemos | we can / we are able to | |
| podéis | you all can / you all are able to | |
| pueden | they can / they are able to |
I can't leave until I finish the work.
Deber
Deber expresses obligation or advice and is used when someone should do something.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| debo | I must / I should | |
| debes | you must / you should | |
| debe | he/she/it must / should | |
| debemos | we must / we should | |
| debéis | you all must / should | |
| deben | they must / they should |
Querer
Querer expresses desire or intention and is used when someone wants to do something.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| quiero | I want | |
| quieres | you want | |
| quiere | he/she/it wants | |
| queremos | we want | |
| queréis | you all want | |
| quieren | they want |
Tener Que
Tener que expresses necessity and is used when someone has to do something.
| Spanish Word(s) | English Word(s) | |
|---|---|---|
| tengo que | I have to | |
| tienes que | you have to | |
| tiene que | he/she/it has to | |
| tenemos que | we have to | |
| tenéis que | you all have to | |
| tienen que | they have to |
Poder vs. Deber vs. Tener Que
Use poder for ability or permission, deber for advice or obligation, and tener que for concrete necessity.
Summary
Modal verbs like poder, deber, querer and tener que shape meaning by expressing ability, necessity, permission, or intention and they guide how actions are understood.
Last updated: Fri Oct 24, 2025