German Modal Verbs
German modal verbs are among the most frequently used words in the language. They modify the meaning of the main verb to express ability, permission, obligation, desire, or preference. There are six modal verbs, and once you learn their conjugations and the sentence structure they require, you unlock a massive range of expression.
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The Six Modal Verbs at a Glance
Sentence Structure with Modals
When a modal verb appears in a sentence, the sentence structure changes: the modal verb is conjugated and sits in the V2 position, while the main verb moves to the end in infinitive form.
- Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. — I can speak German.
- Du musst mehr lernen. — You must learn more.
- Wir wollen nach Berlin fahren. — We want to go to Berlin.
- Darf ich hier rauchen? — May I smoke here?
The main verb ALWAYS goes to the end of the sentence as an infinitive when used with a modal. This is the most important word order rule for modal verbs. "Ich kann sprechen Deutsch" is wrong — it must be "Ich kann Deutsch sprechen."
Conjugation: Present Tense
All modal verbs share a distinctive conjugation pattern: the ich and er/sie/es forms have no ending, and most modals show a vowel change in the singular.
können (can)
| Pronoun | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| ich | kann | I can |
| du | kannst | you can |
| er/sie/es | kann | he/she/it can |
| wir | können | we can |
| ihr | könnt | you all can |
| sie/Sie | können | they/you (formal) can |
müssen (must)
| Pronoun | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| ich | muss | I must |
| du | musst | you must |
| er/sie/es | muss | he/she/it must |
| wir | müssen | we must |
| ihr | müsst | you all must |
| sie/Sie | müssen | they/you (formal) must |
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dürfen (may)
| Pronoun | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| ich | darf | I may |
| du | darfst | you may |
| er/sie/es | darf | he/she/it may |
| wir | dürfen | we may |
| ihr | dürft | you all may |
| sie/Sie | dürfen | they/you (formal) may |
wollen (to want to)
| Pronoun | Form | English |
|---|---|---|
| ich | will | I want to |
| du | willst | you want to |
| er/sie/es | will | he/she/it wants to |
| wir | wollen | we want to |
| ihr | wollt | you all want to |
| sie/Sie | wollen | they/you (formal) want to |
Do not confuse German "will" with English "will." German "ich will" means "I want to," not "I will." To say "I will" (future), German uses "ich werde." This is one of the most common mistakes English speakers make.
Practical Usage Examples
- Ich kann nicht kommen. — I cannot come.
- Du musst das machen. — You must do that.
- Man darf hier nicht parken. — One may not park here.
- Er soll mehr schlafen. — He should sleep more.
- Sie will nach Hause gehen. — She wants to go home.
- Ich mag Schokolade. — I like chocolate. (no infinitive needed)
Note that mögen is often used alone without a second verb, especially when expressing liking for something. Its subjunctive form möchten (would like to) is extremely common: Ich möchte ein Bier bestellen (I would like to order a beer).
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the six German modal verbs?
The six 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 (to want to), and mögen (to like). Each one modifies the meaning of the main verb in the sentence.
How does word order change with modal verbs?
In a sentence with a modal verb, the modal is conjugated and takes the second position (V2 rule), while the main verb goes to the end of the sentence in its infinitive form. For example: "Ich kann Deutsch sprechen" (I can speak German) — kann is second, sprechen is at the end.
What is the difference between müssen and sollen?
Müssen expresses personal necessity or strong obligation (I must, I have to). Sollen expresses external expectation or advice from someone else (I should, I am supposed to). "Ich muss arbeiten" = I have to work (necessity). "Ich soll arbeiten" = I am supposed to work (someone told me to).
What is the difference between können and dürfen?
Können means physical ability or general possibility (I can do it, I know how). Dürfen means permission (I am allowed to). "Ich kann schwimmen" = I can swim (ability). "Darf ich schwimmen?" = May I swim? (permission). In casual speech, können sometimes replaces dürfen for permission.
Do modal verbs have irregular conjugation?
Yes. All German modal verbs have vowel changes in the singular forms (ich, du, er/sie/es) and no ending for ich and er/sie/es forms. For example, können: ich kann, du kannst, er kann (no -e or -t endings). The plural forms follow regular patterns: wir können, ihr könnt, sie können.