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This lesson covers essential German modal verbs like sollen (should), können (can), müssen (must), dürfen (may), wollen (want), mögen (like), and möchten (would like), teaching how to express abilities, permissions, obligations, and desires using these verbs with infinitives.
  1. A modal verb is always combined with an infinitive.
Modalverb (modal verb)Beispiel (Example)
SollenDu sollst dich anziehen.  (You should get dressed.)
KönnenKannst du mir meine Schuhe geben?  (Can you give me my shoes?)
MüssenIch muss heute einen Anzug tragen. (I must wear a suit today.)
DürfenWir dürfen hier kein T-Shirt tragen. (We are not allowed to wear a T-shirt here.)
WollenIch will heute ein Kleid anziehen. (I will wear a dress today.)
MögenEr mag Schokolade. (He likes chocolate.)
MöchtenDu möchtest morgen in ein Kleidungsgeschäft gehen. (You would like to go to a clothing shop tomorrow.)

Exceptions!

  1. Mögen is mostly used today without a full verb, as in „Ich mag Schokolade“.
  2. Möchten is the subjunctive II form of „mögen“, but it is used in the present tense as a separate modal verb.

Exercise 1: Modalverben

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

kann, trinken, sein, kochen, kannst, singen, helfen, möchten, soll, müsst, gehen, könnt, ausziehen, tragen

1. Können, singen:
Ich ... gut ....
(I can sing well.)
2. Möchten, trinken:
Die Männer ... einen Kaffee ....
(The men would like to drink a coffee.)
3. Sollen, tragen:
Er ... sein Hemd ....
(He is supposed to wear his shirt.)
4. Können, ausziehen:
Ihr ... die Schuhe ....
(You can take off the shoes.)
5. Können, helfen:
Du ... mir bei der Arbeit....
(You can help me with the work.)
6. Möchten, gehen:
Die Freunde ... in ein Kleidungsgeschäft ....
(The friends want to go to a clothing shop.)
7. Müssen, sein:
Ihr ... pünktlich im Geschäft ....
(You must be punctual at the shop.)
8. Können, kochen:
Er ... sehr gut ....
(He can cook very well.)

Exercise 2: Multiple Choice

Instruction: Choose the correct solution

1. Du ___ eine Jacke anprobieren, wenn dir kalt ist.

(You ___ try on a jacket if you are cold.)

2. ___ du mir bitte die blaue Bluse zeigen?

(___ you please show me the blue blouse?)

3. Ich ___ meine Größe wissen, bevor ich das Hemd kaufe.

(I ___ have to know my size before I buy the shirt.)

4. Wir ___ hier keine Mützen tragen.

(We ___ are not allowed to wear hats here.)

5. Ich ___ heute das neue Kleid kaufen.

(I ___ want to buy the new dress today.)

6. ___ du die Schuhe in Größe 40 probieren?

(___ you like to try the shoes in size 40?)

Introduction to German Modal Verbs

This lesson covers the fundamental modal verbs in German that express attitudes, needs, and possibilities related to the subject's actions. Modal verbs are always combined with an infinitive verb and add meaning such as obligation, ability, permission, desire, or liking.

Core Modal Verbs and Examples

  • Sollen – expresses obligation or advice. Example: Du sollst dich anziehen.
  • Können – expresses ability or possibility. Example: Kannst du mir meine Schuhe geben?
  • Müssen – indicates necessity or strong obligation. Example: Ich muss heute einen Anzug tragen.
  • Dürfen – gives permission or denotes prohibition. Example: Wir dürfen hier kein T-Shirt tragen.
  • Wollen – expresses a wish or intent. Example: Ich will heute ein Kleid anziehen.
  • Mögen – indicates liking, often used without a following verb. Example: Er mag Schokolade.
  • Möchten – polite form to express desire, derived from mögen. Example: Du möchtest morgen in ein Kleidungsgeschäft gehen.

Structural Notes on Modal Verbs

These modal verbs affect sentence structure by requiring a second verb in the infinitive form at the end of the sentence. For instance, in the example Du sollst dich anziehen, sollst is conjugated for the subject and anziehen is the infinitive verb.

Mögen is typically used without a full verb, for example, Ich mag Schokolade (I like chocolate). Meanwhile, möchten originates as the subjunctive form of mögen but nowadays functions independently as a modal verb to express wishes politely.

Comparing German Modal Verbs with English

In English, modal verbs like "should," "can," "must," "may," "want," and "like" share a similar function but differ in some uses and conjugations. For example, English modal verbs do not change form with the subject, while German modal verbs are conjugated to match the subject.

Useful words and phrases to compare include:

  • Sollen = should / ought to
  • Können = can / be able to
  • Müssen = must / have to
  • Dürfen = may / be allowed to
  • Wollen = want to
  • Mögen = like
  • Möchten = would like

In English, modal verbs are generally followed by the base form of the verb without "to," while German requires the infinitive at the end of the sentence. For example, "You should get dressed" translates to Du sollst dich anziehen, where sollst is conjugated and anziehen is at the sentence end.

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Sophie Schmidt

International Administration Management

Würzburger Dolmetscherschule

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Last Updated:

Thursday, 17/07/2025 12:29