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Mastering Modal Verbs in German: A Complete Guide

modal verbs German

Photo by Hansjörg Keller on Unsplash

If you’re searching for modal verbs in German, this guide has everything you need. Modal verbs are essential for expressing ability, necessity, permission, or possibility in everyday speech. This post breaks down the six core modal verbs, how to conjugate them, and how to use them correctly — even if you’re just starting to learn German.


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What Are Modal Verbs in German?

Modal verbs (Modalverben) are auxiliary verbs that modify the meaning of the main verb in a sentence. Instead of standing alone, they usually work with another verb in the infinitive form.

The six main German modal verbs are:

— 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: like to


Why Learn German Modal Verbs?

Knowing how to use modal verbs helps you:

Make polite requests

Express desires and needs

Ask for or give permission

Talk about obligations

Make suggestions

They’re everywhere in daily conversations, emails, travel situations, and even job interviews.


German Modal Verbs: Conjugation Guide

Here’s how the six core modal verbs look in the present tense (Präsens):

  1. können – to be able to / can
PersonConjugation
ichkann
dukannst
er/sie/eskann
wirkönnen
ihrkönnt
sie/Siekönnen

Example: Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. → I can speak German.


müssen – to have to / must

PersonConjugation
ichmuss
dumusst
er/sie/esmuss
wirmüssen
ihrmüsst
sie/Siemüssen

Example: Du musst lernen. → You have to study.


dürfen – to be allowed to / may

PersonConjugation
ichdarf
dudarfst
er/sie/esdarf
wirdürfen
ihrdürft
sie/Siedürfen

Example: Wir dürfen hier parken. → We may park here.


sollen – should / supposed to

PersonConjugation
ichsoll
dusollst
er/sie/essoll
wirsollen
ihrsollt
sie/Siesollen

Example: Er soll zum Arzt gehen. → He should go to the doctor.


wollen – to want to

PersonConjugation
ichwill
duwillst
er/sie/eswill
wirwollen
ihrwollt
sie/Siewollen

Example: Ich will Pizza essen. → I want to eat pizza.


mögen – to like to (used differently)

Mögen is special — it usually doesn’t pair with another verb like the others, unless in the form of “möchten” (would like).

PersonConjugation
ichmag
dumagst
er/sie/esmag
wirmögen
ihrmögt
sie/Siemögen

Example: Sie mag Schokolade. → She likes chocolate.


Using Modal Verbs in Sentences

In a German sentence, the modal verb is conjugated and placed second, while the main verb appears at the end in its infinitive form.

Structure: Subject + Modal Verb (conjugated) + … + Main Verb (infinitive)

Examples:

Ich muss heute arbeiten. → I have to work today.

Wir wollen ins Kino gehen. → We want to go to the cinema.

Er kann nicht schwimmen. → He can’t swim.


Past Tense of Modal Verbs

In conversational past (Perfekt), modal verbs usually take the auxiliary verb haben and use double infinitive structure.

Example: Ich habe gehen müssen. → I had to go.

But in written or formal German, use Präteritum (simple past):


Tips for Mastering Modal Verbs

Real-Life Conversations Using Modal Verbs

A1 Example:

Ich kann heute nicht kommen. → I can’t come today.

A2 Example:

Wir müssen früh aufstehen. → We have to get up early.

B1 Example:

Sie will ihr eigenes Geschäft eröffnen. → She wants to open her own business.

B2 Example:

Ich hätte das Meeting vorbereiten sollen. → I should have prepared the meeting.

Conclusion: Master Modal Verbs to Speak with Confidence

Modal verbs are the backbone of German communication. From asking permissions to stating desires, you’ll use them every day. Start with “können” and “müssen,” then expand to the rest. Practice them with real sentences, and you’ll sound more fluent in no time.


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