German Modal Verbs
1. What Are Modal Verbs?
Modal verbs show ability, permission, necessity, obligation, or desire.
They are used with another verb in the infinitive at the end of the sentence.
2. Common Modal Verbs
- Können – can, to be able to
- Müssen – must, to have to
- Dürfen – may, to be allowed to
- Sollen – should, to be supposed to
- Wollen – want to
- Mögen – to like
- Möchten – would like to (special form of mögen)
3. Conjugation Pattern
Modal verbs are irregular in the ich, du, er/sie/es forms, but regular for wir, ihr, sie/Sie.
Example with können (can):
Ich kann – I can
Du kannst – you can
Er/sie/es kann – he/she/it can
Wir können – we can
Ihr könnt – you (plural) can
Sie/Sie können – they/you (formal) can
4. Sentence Structure
The modal verb is conjugated and placed in the second position. The main verb stays in the infinitive
and goes to the end.
Example: Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
(I can speak German.)
5. Negative Form
Add nicht after the modal verb.
Example : Ich kann nicht kommen. (I cannot come.)