Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

This lesson introduces Dutch modal verbs: moeten (must), kunnen (can), and mogen (may), essential for expressing obligations, abilities, and permissions. Students learn their conjugations and usage through practical examples like 'Je moet op tijd komen' and 'Ik kan koken.' It highlights differences in verb conjugation compared to English and provides useful phrases for everyday language use.
  1. Must indicates obligations, as in 'Je moet op tijd komen'.
  2. Can is used for possibilities or abilities, such as 'Ik kan koken'.
  3. Mogen gives permission or prohibition, such as 'Je mag hier niet roken'.
Persoon (Person)Moeten (must)Kunnen (Can)Mogen (May)
Ikmoet (must)kan (Person)mag (may)
Jijmoet (must)kan (Person)mag (may)
Hij/Zij/Hetmoet (must)kan (Person)mag (may)
Wijmoeten (must)kunnen (can)mogen (may)
Julliemoeten (must)kunnen (can)mogen (may)
Zijmoeten (must)kunnen (can)mogen (may)

Exercise 1: Modale werkwoorden (moeten, kunnen, mogen)

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

mogen, kan, moet, mag

1.
Je ... op tijd op school zijn.
(You must be at school on time.)
2.
Jullie ... niet vergeten de olie toe te voegen.
(You must not forget to add the oil.)
3.
Ik ... goed dansen.
(I can dance well.)
4.
Hij ... vandaag niet naar de les komen.
(He cannot come to the lesson today.)
5.
Hij ... elke dag om 7 uur opstaan.
(He has to get up at 7 o'clock every day.)
6.
Je ... de boter smelten voor het recept.
(You have to melt the butter for the recipe.)
7.
Je ... niet roken in het restaurant.
(You are not allowed to smoke in the restaurant.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Je ___ altijd een schort dragen tijdens het koken.

(You ___ always wear an apron while cooking.)

2. Wij ___ dit recept makkelijk maken.

(We ___ easily make this recipe.)

3. Je ___ hier niet eten.

(You ___ may not eat here.)

4. Ik ___ de oven voorverwarmen voor het bakken.

(I ___ must preheat the oven before baking.)

5. Jij ___ goed koekjes bakken.

(You ___ can bake cookies well.)

6. We ___ hier alleen groenten snijden.

(We ___ are only allowed to cut vegetables here.)

Introduction to Dutch Modal Verbs: Moeten, Kunnen, Mogen

In this lesson, you will learn how to use three important Dutch modal verbs: moeten, kunnen, and mogen. Modal verbs express necessity, ability, and permission, making them essential for everyday communication.

Understanding Each Modal Verb

  • Moeten indicates obligation or necessity, as in the sentence "Je moet op tijd komen" (You must arrive on time).
  • Kunnen expresses ability or possibility, for example, "Ik kan koken" (I can cook).
  • Mogen refers to permission or prohibition, such as "Je mag hier niet roken" (You may not smoke here).

Practical Application and Examples

The lesson includes a table that shows the conjugation of these verbs for different persons, helping you see how they change with subjects like ik (I) and zij (they). It also provides example sentences emphasizing real-life situations relevant to daily activities.

Key Points to Remember

  • Unlike English, Dutch modal verbs are not always followed by "to" before another verb; for example, "Ik moet gaan" means "I must go," not "I must to go."
  • Conjugations vary for singular and plural subjects, like "moet" for singular and "moeten" for plural.

Useful Phrases

  • Je moet altijd een schort dragen tijdens het koken. (You must always wear an apron while cooking.)
  • Wij kunnen dit recept makkelijk maken. (We can easily make this recipe.)
  • Je mag hier niet eten. (You may not eat here.)

By mastering these modal verbs, you will gain confidence in giving instructions, expressing ability, and understanding permissions in Dutch.

Differences Between English and Dutch Instructions

One important difference is that English modal verbs like "can," "must," and "may" do not change form according to the subject, whereas in Dutch, modal verbs like moeten, kunnen, and mogen do conjugate depending on the person. For example, in English we say "I can," "you can," "he can" but in Dutch it's "ik kan," "jij kunt," "hij kan."
Also, the placement of modal verbs in sentences can differ; Dutch often places the main verb at the end of the sentence after the modal verb.
These distinctions are important for constructing correct and natural Dutch sentences.

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Kato De Paepe

Business and languages

KdG University of Applied Sciences and Arts Antwerp

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Last Updated:

Friday, 27/06/2025 19:28