A1Verbs

German Modal Verbs (können, müssen, wollen...)

Modal verbs express ability, necessity, permission, or desire. They're used with an infinitive at the end of the sentence.

Key Rules

  • 1können = can, to be able to
  • 2müssen = must, to have to
  • 3wollen = to want to
  • 4sollen = should, to be supposed to
  • 5dürfen = may, to be allowed to
  • 6mögen = to like
  • 7Infinitive goes to the end of the sentence

Examples

Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.

I can speak German.

💡 Modal 'kann' in position 2, infinitive 'sprechen' at the end.

Du musst lernen.

You must learn.

Wir wollen essen gehen.

We want to go eat.

Related Grammar Topics

Word Order
German Word Order Basics
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