German Modal Verbs
When learning the German language, understanding modal verbs is crucial for effective communication and fluency. Modal verbs play a significant role in expressing various meanings. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the world of German modal verbs, their usage, and their unique characteristics.
What Are Modal Verbs?
Modal verbs, or modale Verben in German, are a special category of verbs that modify or indicate the mood of the main verb in a sentence. These verbs are essential for expressing abilities, permissions, obligations, and necessity in both written and spoken German. There are six modal verbs in the German language:
- müssen - must, have to
- können - can, to be able to
- wollen - want, to intend to
- sollen - shall, should, to be supposed to
- dürfen - may, to be allowed to
- mögen - to like
Each of these German modal verbs brings its own unique meaning and usage, allowing you to express a wide variety of thoughts and ideas. If you like to check your knowledge about the modal verbs in German, then you can check out our latest free German modal verbs quiz: here.
Sentence Structure with Modal Verbs in German
Understanding the sentence structure when using modal verbs in German is crucial for communicating your thoughts accurately and effectively. Modal verbs can be used in both main sentences and subordinate clauses, and the position of the modal verb changes based on the type of clause in which it is used.
I. Sentence Structure in Main Sentences with a Modal Verb:
In a main sentence, the modal verb usually takes the second position. The verb that accompanies the modal verb is in its infinitive form and is placed at the end of the sentence. Here's the structure:
Subject - Modal Verb - Other Sentence Elements - Infinitive Verb
Examples:
- Du kannst gut singen. = You can sing well.
- Du sollst dein Zimmer aufräumen. = You should clean your room.
- Sie will einen Kaffee trinken. = She wants to drink a coffee.
II. Sentence Structure in Subordinate Clauses with a Modal Verb:
In subordinate clauses introduced by a conjunction such as "weil" (because),"dass" (that),or "wenn" (if),the verb structure changes. The conjugated modal verb moves to the end of the clause, following the infinitive of the other verb. Here's the structure:
Subject - Other Sentence Elements - Infinitive Verb - Modal Verb
Examples:
- Ich weiß, dass du Deutsch sprechen kannst. = I know that you can speak German.
- Sie sagt, dass du dein Zimmer aufräumen sollst. = She says that you should clean your room.
- Er denkt, dass sie einen Kuchen essen will. = He thinks that she wants to eat a cake.
Können - can, to be able to
Meaning
"Können" translates to "can" or "to be able to" in English, implying both ability and possibility. It could help express that you're capable of doing something or denote that something is possible or permissible.
Conjugation of können in the present tense
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "können" |
ich (I) | kann |
du (you) | kannst |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | kann |
wir (we) | können |
ihr (you plural) | könnt |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | können |
Examples:
- Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. = I can speak German.
- Du kannst das Buch lesen. = You can read the book.
- Er kann sehr gut kochen. = He can cook very well.
- Wir können heute Abend ins Kino gehen. = We can go to the cinema tonight.
- Sie können ein Lied singen. = They can sing a song.
Conjugation of können in the simple past
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "können" |
ich (I) | konnte |
du (you) | konntest |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | konnte |
wir (we) | konnten |
ihr (you plural) | konntet |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | konnten |
Examples:
- Ich konnte das Buch nicht finden. = I couldn't find the book.
- Sie konnte das Kleid nicht kaufen. = She couldn't buy the dress.
- Sie konnten den ganzen Tag im Park verbringen. = They could spend the whole day in the park.
- Wir konnten den Film gestern nicht sehen. = We couldn't watch the movie yesterday.
- Sie konnten die Aufgabe leicht lösen. = They were able to solve the task easily.
Müssen - must, have to
Meaning
'Müssen' translates to 'must' or 'have to' in English, expressing necessity or obligation. Are you starting to see the importance of this word?
Conjugation of müssen in the present tense
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "müssen" |
ich (I) | muss |
du (you) | musst |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | muss |
wir (we) | müssen |
ihr (you plural) | müsst |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | müssen |
Examples:
- Ich muss zur Schule gehen. = I have to go to school.
- Du musst dein Projekt beenden. = You have to finish your project.
- Er muss sein Auto wasche. = He has to wash his car
- Wir müssen uns auf das Treffen vorbereiten. = We have to prepare for the meeting.
- Sie müssen die Tickets buchen. = They have to book the tickets.
Conjugation of müssen in the simple past
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "müssen" |
ich (I) | musste |
du (you) | musstest |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | musste |
wir (we) | mussten |
ihr (you plural) | musstet |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | mussten |
Examples:
- Du musstest das Klavier üben. = You had to practice the piano.
- Ich musste auf meinen kleinen Bruder aufpassen. = I had to take care of my little brother.
- Sie mussten Überstunden machen. They had to work overtime.
- Wir mussten die Party früh verlassen. We had to leave the party early.
- Sie musste das ganze Buch für ihren Bericht lesen. She had to read the entire book for her report.
Wollen - want, to intend to
Meaning
The verb "wollen" translates to "to want to" in English. It is used to express a desire, intention, or willingness to do something. This modal verb changes form based on the person and the tense.
Conjugation of wollen in the present tense
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "wollen" |
ich (I) | will |
du (you) | willst |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | will |
wir (we) | wollen |
ihr (you plural) | wollt |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | wollen |
Examples:
- Ich will mehr Deutsch lernen. = I want to learn more German.
- Du willst deinen Geburtstag in einem Restaurant feiern. = You want to celebrate your birthday in a restaurant.
- Meine Schwester will ein neues Fahrrad kaufen. = My sister wants to buy a new bicycle.
- Wir wollen am Wochenende wandern gehen. = We want to go hiking on the weekend.
- Die Kinder wollen nach der Schule ins Schwimmbad gehen. = The children want to go to the swimming pool after school.
Conjugation of wollen in the simple past
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "wollen" |
ich (I) | wollte |
du (you) | wolltest |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | wollte |
wir (we) | wollten |
ihr (you plural) | wolltet |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | wollten |
Examples:
- Ich wollte ein Buch lesen, aber ich hatte keine Zeit. = I wanted to read a book, but I didn't have time.
- Du wolltest gestern mit uns zum Strand kommen. You wanted to come to the beach with us yesterday.
- Du wolltest ein neues Auto kaufen. = You wanted to buy a new car.
- Wir wollten früher aufstehen, aber der Wecker hat nicht geklingelt. = We wanted to get up earlier, but the alarm clock didn't ring.
- Die Lehrer wollten die Klassenarbeit verschieben. = The teachers wanted to postpone the exam.
sollen - shall, should, to be supposed to
Meaning
"Sollen" is another frequently used modal verb in the German language. It translates into English as "should" or "ought to" and it is used to express a duty, requirement, or a need for something to happen. It is also used to give advice or to express an expectation or a hearsay.
Conjugation of sollen in the present tense
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "sollen" |
ich (I) | soll |
du (you) | sollst |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | soll |
wir (we) | sollen |
ihr (you plural) | sollt |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | sollen |
Examples:
- Ich soll mehr Sport treiben, um fit zu bleiben. = I should do more sports to stay fit.
- Du sollst deine Hausaufgaben vor dem Fernsehen erledigen. = You should do your homework before watching TV.
- Meine Mutter sagt, dass ich mehr Gemüse essen soll. = My mother says that I should eat more vegetables.
- Wir sollen für den Test lernen. = We should study for the test.
- Ihr sollt eurem Bruder helfen, sein Zimmer aufzuräumen. = You should help your brother clean his room.
Conjugation of sollen in the simple past
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "sollen" |
ich (I) | sollte |
du (you) | solltest |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | sollte |
wir (we) | sollten |
ihr (you plural) | sollte |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | sollten |
Examples:
- Ich sollte meinen Arzt anrufen, aber ich habe es vergessen. = I was supposed to call my doctor, but I forgot.
- Du solltest die Türen abschließen. You should have locked the doors before you left.)
- Sie sollte ihre Hausaufgaben machen, bevor sie mit ihren Freunden spielte. (She was supposed to do her homework before she played with her friends.)
- Wir sollten zur Party kommen, aber wir konnten es nicht. (We were supposed to come to the party, but we couldn't.)
- Ihr solltet das Auto reparieren lassen, bevor es kaputt ging. (You should have had the car repaired before it broke down.)
dürfen - may, to be allowed to
Meaning
The German modal verb "dürfen" is primarily used to express permission or possibility. It essentially corresponds to "may" or "to be allowed to" in English. Understanding its proper usage can be instrumental for any learner of the German language.
Conjugation of dürfen in the present tense
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "dürfen" |
ich (I) | darf |
du (you) | darfst |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | darf |
wir (we) | dürfen |
ihr (you plural) | dürft |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | dürfen |
Examples:
- Ich darf nach der Arbeit ins Kino gehen. = I may go to the cinema after work.
- Du darfst mein Fahrrad benutzen. = You may use my bicycle.
- Er darf nicht rauchen. = He is not allowed to smoke.
- Wir dürfen den Park nach Sonnenuntergang nicht betreten. = We are not allowed to enter the park after sunset.
- Sie dürfen in der Bibliothek nicht laut sprechen. = They are not allowed to speak loudly in the library.
Conjugation of dürfen in the simple past
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "dürfen" |
ich (I) | durfte |
du (you) | durftest |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | durfte |
wir (we) | durften |
ihr (you plural) | durftet |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | durften |
Examples:
- Ich durfte meine Großmutter im Krankenhaus besuchen. = I was allowed to visit my grandmother in the hospital.
- Du durftest den Film vor uns allen sehen. = You were allowed to watch the movie before all of us.
- Er durfte als Kind keine Videospiele spielen. = He wasn't allowed to play video games as a child.
- Wir durften früher von der Arbeit nach Hause gehen. = We were allowed to go home early from work.
- Sie durften im Museum keine Fotos machen. = They were not allowed to take photos in the museum.
mögen - to like
Meaning
The German modal verb "mögen" primarily translates to "like" in English and is used to express a liking or preference for something or someone.
Conjugation of mögen in the present tense
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "mögen" |
ich (I) | mag |
du (you) | magst |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | mag |
wir (we) | mögen |
ihr (you plural) | mögt |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | mögen |
Examples:
- Ich mag Schokolade. = I like chocolate.
- Du magst es, Tennis zu spielen. = You like to play tennis.
- Er mag keine Katzen. = He doesn't like cats.
- Sie mag es, Romane zu lesen. = She likes to read novels.
- Du magst deinen Kaffee ohne Zucker. = You like your coffee without sugar.
Conjugation of mögen in the simple past
Personal Pronoun | Conjugation of "können" |
ich (I) | mochte |
du (you) | mochtest |
er/sie/es (he/she/it) | mochte |
wir (we) | mochten |
ihr (you plural) | mochtet |
Sie (you formal) sie (they) | mochten |
Examples:
- Ich mochte das Buch, das du mir gegeben hast. = I liked the book you gave me.
- Du mochtest keinen Kaffee, bevor du in die Universität gegangen bist. = You didn't like coffee before you went to university.
- Er mochte es, lange Spaziergänge zu machen. = He liked to take long walks.
- Wir mochten unsere neue Schule. = We liked our new school.
- Sie mochten keine Horrorfilme. = They did not like horror films.
German Modal Verbs in Perfect, Past Perfect, and Future Tenses
While the use of modal verbs in the perfect, past perfect, and future tenses is relatively rare, especially in spoken language, it is nevertheless important for formal written German and for achieving fluency. These forms are primarily used in literature, formal writing, and when precise timing of events is important.
I. Modal Verbs in Perfect Tense (Perfekt):
Perfect tense with modal verbs is formed by using the correct form of "haben" (to have),the infinitive of the modal verb, and the infinitive of the main verb. The infinitives ( of the modal verb the last) are usually placed at the end of the sentence. In English modal verbs are normally not used in the perfect and past perfect tense.
Structure: Subject + haben + Other Elements + Main Verb (infinitive) + Modal Verb (infinitive)
Examples:
- Sie haben mir vertrauen können. = They could have trusted me.
- Ich habe mehr Wasser trinken sollen. = I should have drunk more water.
- Du hast die Blumen gießen müssen. = You had to water the flowers.
- Ihr habt den Bus nehmen wollen. = You wanted to take the bus.
- Ihr habt den Zug nehmen dürfen. = You were allowed to take the train.
II. Modal Verbs in Past Perfect Tense (Plusquamperfekt):
In the past perfect tense, the past participle of "haben", the infinitive of the modal verb, and the infinitive of the main verb are used. This tense is used to describe an event that occurred before another past event.
Structure: Subject + hatte + Other Elements + Main Verb (infinitive) + Modal Verb (infinitive)
Examples:
- Sie hatte mehr trainieren können, bevor sie am Marathon teilnahm = She could have trained more before she participated in the marathon.
- Du hattest deine Hausaufgaben machen müssen, bevor du ausgegangen bist. = You had to do your homework before you went out.
- Sie hatte ihm verzeihen können, bevor sie weggegangen ist. = She could have forgiven him before she left.
- Wir hatten die Tickets kaufen dürfen, bevor sie ausverkauft waren. = We were allowed to buy the tickets before they were sold out.
- Ihr hattet früher kommen wollen, bevor das Konzert begonnen hat. = You wanted to come earlier before the concert started.
III. Modal Verbs in Future Tense (Futur I):
In the future tense, the verb "werden" is conjugated according to the subject, and it's followed by the infinitive of the main verb and the modal verb at the end of the sentence. This tense is used to express an intention or a possibility that something will happen in the future.
Structure: Subject + werden + Other Elements + Main Verb (infinitive) + Modal Verb (infinitive)
Examples:
- Sie wird nächstes Semester mehr Kurse nehmen müssen. (She will have to take more courses next semester.)
- Ich werde das neue Rezept ausprobieren wollen. (I will want to try the new recipe.)
- Du wirst nächstes Jahr ins Ausland reisen können. (You will be able to travel abroad next year.)
- Wir werden nach dem Umzug mehr Platz haben dürfen. (We will be allowed to have more space after the move.)
- Sie werden das Haus kaufen wollen. (They will want to buy the house.)
While these tenses may be used less frequently in everyday conversation, they add richness to the German language and allow for more complex expressions of time and modality. Understanding their structure and use is another step in mastering German.
Replacement Forms of the German Modal Verbs (Ersatzformen für Modalverben)
German modal verbs, much like in any language, can sometimes be substituted or replaced by other forms to convey similar meanings. These "Ersatzformen" or "replacement forms" are useful in a variety of contexts, especially when we aim to add nuance or variety to our speech and writing.
Replacement forms for "können"
The verb "können" (to be able to/can) can often be replaced by "in der Lage sein/ imstande sein" or "fähig sein zu." These phrases mean "to be capable of" or "to be in a position to." Another phrase that can be used instead of können is “es gibt die Möglichkeit” (there is the possibility.
Examples:
- Sie ist in der Lage, mehrere Sprachen fließend zu sprechen. = She is capable of speaking several languages fluently.
- Nach dem Training bin ich fähig, zehn Kilometer zu laufen. = After the training, I am capable of running ten kilometers.
- Wir sind in der Lage, das Problem selbst zu lösen. = We are in a position to solve the problem ourselves.
- Ist er fähig, das Auto zu reparieren? = Is he capable of fixing the car?
- Sie sind in der Lage, das Projekt fristgerecht abzuschließen. = They are capable of completing the project on time.
Replacement forms for "müssen"
The modal verb "müssen" (must/to have to) can be substituted with other expressions. These are some of the most popular ones these phrases: "gezwungen sein zu" (to be forced to),“notwendig sein/ es ist erforderlich” (to be necessary),“es gibt eine Notwendigkeit” (There is a need),“es gibt die Pflicht, dass…” (there is the obligation that).
Examples:
- Sie ist gezwungen, Überstunden zu machen, um das Projekt zu beenden. = She is forced to work overtime to finish the project.
- Wir waren gezwungen, den Flug wegen des schlechten Wetters zu stornieren. = We were forced to cancel the flight due to bad weather.
- Ich bin gezwungen, meine Reisepläne aufgrund der aktuellen Situation zu ändern. = I am forced to change my travel plans due to the current situation.
- Sie waren gezwungen, den Umzug auf nächste Woche zu verschieben. = They were forced to postpone the move to next week.
- Er ist gezwungen, den Kurs zu wiederholen, um seine Note zu verbessern. = He is forced to retake the course in order to improve his grade.
Replacement forms for "wollen"
The verb "wollen" (to want to) can be replaced with "den Wunsch haben zu" (to have the desire/wish to),“Absicht/Plan haben” (have intention/plan)
Examples:
- Sie hat den Wunsch, eine berühmte Schriftstellerin zu werden. = She has the desire to become a famous writer.
- Ich habe die Absicht, nächstes Jahr ein neues Geschäft zu eröffnen. = I have the intention to open a new business next year.
- Sie hat den Plan, im Ausland zu studieren. = She has a plan to study abroad.
- Er hat die Absicht, seine Karriere zu wechseln und Musiker zu werden. = He has the intention to change his career and become a musician.
- Wir haben den Wunsch, unser Haus zu renovieren und zu modernisieren. = We have the desire to renovate and modernize our house.
Replacement forms for "sollen"
The modal verb "sollen" (should/ought to) can be substituted with many different expressions. These are some of the most popular ones: "angebracht sein zu" (it is appropriate to),“den Auftrag/Befehl haben (have the order/command),”die Aufgabe haben" (have the task),“ geplant sein” (it is planned).
Examples:
- Es ist angebracht, beim Essen nicht zu sprechen. = It is appropriate not to talk while eating.
- Sie hat den Auftrag, das Projekt bis Ende des Monats abzuschließen. = She has the order to finish the project by the end of the month.
- Er hat die Aufgabe, die neuen Praktikanten einzuarbeiten. = He has the task to train the new interns.
- Es ist geplant, dass wir nächsten Sommer nach Europa reisen. = It is planned that we travel to Europe next summer.
- Sie hat den Befehl, die Informationen vertraulich zu behandeln. = She has the command to treat the information confidentially.
Replacement forms for "dürfen"
The verb "dürfen" (may/to be allowed to) can be replaced by “Erlaubnis/Berechtigung haben “ (to have permission/authorization),”nicht erlaubt sein” (to not be allowed),“berechtigt sein” (be entitled).
Examples:
- Ich habe die Erlaubnis, das Gebäude nach 18 Uhr zu betreten. = I have the permission to enter the building after 6 PM.
- Sie hat die Berechtigung, diese vertraulichen Dokumente einzusehen. = She has the authorization to view these confidential documents.
- Es ist uns nicht erlaubt, Fotos in der Kunstgalerie zu machen. = We are not allowed to take photos in the art gallery.
- Du bist berechtigt, eine Rückerstattung zu erhalten, wenn du mit dem Produkt unzufrieden bist. = You are entitled to receive a refund if you are dissatisfied with the product.
- Sie haben die Erlaubnis, den Poolbereich zu nutzen. = They have the permission to use the pool area.
Replacement forms for "mögen"
The verb "mögen" (to like) can often be replaced by "gern haben" or "Freude/Begeisterung haben an."
Examples:
- Sie hat gern frisches Obst zum Frühstück. = She likes having fresh fruit for breakfast.
- Er hat Begeisterung an der Malerei und verbringt viele Stunden im Atelier. = He has a passion for painting and spends many hours in the studio.
- Ich habe gern leise Musik im Hintergrund, während ich arbeite. = I like having soft music in the background while I work.
- Sie hat Freude an ihrem Tanzkurs und freut sich jede Woche darauf. = She enjoys her dance class and looks forward to it every week.
- Wir haben gern Gäste zu Hause und laden oft Freunde zum Abendessen ein. = We like having guests at home and often invite friends for dinner.
These replacement forms provide a more nuanced or formal way of expressing the same ideas conveyed by modal verbs. In addition to broadening your vocabulary, using these alternatives can help you to express your thoughts more precisely and create more varied sentences. As with any aspect of language learning, practice and repetition are key to mastering these expressions.
German Modal Verbs Quiz
Practice the modal verbs in German with quizzes to make sure that you understood everything. You can find our newest German Modal Verbs Quiz: here.