Modal Verbs
Sebastiano Minazzi and Priyal Singh 9B
What are Modal verbs
In German, modal verbs indicate a viewpoint, possibility or
necessity on a certain action occurring within a sentence.
möchte (to want/would like)
söllen (to be supposed to)
dürfen (to be allowed to)
müssen (to need to or have to)
können (to be able to)
mögen (to enjoy) are examples of German modal verbs.
How to use Modal Verbs
First choose your modal verb, then be careful with the word order, you need
to conjugate the modal verb, according to the given grammatical person
Examples:
Ich kann schwimmen. (I can swim.)
Ich will essen. (I want to eat.)
Modal verbs
Ich möchte ein Kleid machen - is an example of a sentence that has a modal verb.
Möchte is the modal verb in this sentence and it means “would like to”.
(I would like to make a dress.)
Wir können Cupcakes machen.
In this sentence the modal verb is können .
Können means “can”.
können, mögen, müssen
-können: The verb können means to be able to, or can in English, it is used to express ability,
possibility, or permission. (Ich kann Deutsch sprechen./I can speak German.)
-mögen: The verb mögen means to like. It is an important modal verb in German, used to
express likes, or preferences. (Ich mag Musik./I like music.)
-müssen:The verb müssen means to have to, or must in English, it is used to express
obligation. (Ich muss zur Arbeit gehen./I must go to work.)
Examples with Modal Verbs
Can/können - Sie kann drei Sprachen fließend sprechen./She can speak
three languages fluently.
May/dürfen - Du darfst den Tisch verlassen, wenn du mit dem Essen fertig
bist./You may leave the table once you have finished your dinner.
Must/müssen - Du must einen Helm tragen, wenn du Fahrrad fährst./You
must wear a helmet when riding a bicycle.
Should/sollen - Du solltest einen Arzt aufsuchen./ You should see a doctor.
Common Mistakes
You can put the words in an Incorrect word order
Ich Deutsch kann sprechen. Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
-You can spell the word incorrectly
Er can gut schwimmen. Er kann gut schwimmen.
-You can forget to use the infinitive
Wir dürfen hier parkst.. Wir dürfen hier parken.
Quiz
1.What does the verb “möchte” mean in German?
2.What does the verb “können” mean in German?
3.What does the verb “dürfen” mean in German?
4.What does the verb “müssen” mean in German?
5.What is the function of a Modal Verb?
6.Translate this sentence into English. “You should see a doctor”
Quiz - Answers
1.What does the verb “möchte” mean in German?
To want/would like to
2.What does the verb “können” mean in German?
To be able to
3.What does the verb “dürfen” mean in German?
To be allowed to
4.What does the verb “müssen” mean in German?
To need to or to have to
5.What is the function of a Modal Verb?
In German Modal Verbs indicate a viewpoint or
necessity on an certain action occuring.
6.Translate this sentence into English. “You should see a doctor”
Du solltest einen Arzt aufsuchen
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