Modal Verbs in German: Explanation, Conjugation & Examples

What Are Modal Verbs in German?

Modal verbs in German are auxiliary verbs, a special class of verbs that are used in a sentence to help another verb. Basically, they express an attitude towards the action of the main verb. Besides, you will most likely find them in company with another verb. Modal verbs express moods like can, must, may, should, want, and like. There are six German modal verbs, they are: können, müssen, dürfen, sollen, wollen, mögen. To get a better understanding, look at the table below.

Why Should You Learn German Modal Verbs?

To learn German, it is crucial to cover topics like modal verbs. This is because these are a fundamental part of German grammar and are used extensively. Further, these help you express ideas like ability, permission, obligation, and desire, which are essential for everyday conversations in the German language. Listed below are a few reasons to learn them.

1. Mastering modal verbs allows you to enhance fluency and accuracy.
2. By understanding the differences between them, you can express yourself with more precision.
3. These are crucial for comprehending the meaning of sentences and conversations.
4. Correct usage of modal verbs enables clearer and effective communication, avoiding misunderstandings.

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Rules to Use German Modal Verbs

• Rule 1 – Every modal verb, except for sollen, changes its first vowel for the pronouns I, you, he, she, and it.
• Rule 2 – All of the modal verbs drop their umlauts in the past tense.
• Rule 3 – The root form will always be the same for I, he, she, and it. The you form adds an -st ending. You plural is the original root with a -t ending. We, they, and you formal use the infinitive form of the modal verb.

Types of Modal Verbs with Conjugations

In German there are six model verbs including können(can), müssen(must), dürfen(may), sollen(should), wollen(want), mögen(like).

1. Können: Expresses ability or possibility.
2. Müssen: Expresses obligation or necessity.
3. Dürfen: Expresses permission or being allowed to do something.
4. Sollen: Expresses being supposed to or expected to do something.
5. Wollen: Expresses desire or intention.
6. Mögen: Expresses liking or a wish.

Let us look at each one of them in detail along with the conjugation of modal verbs in German language.

1. Können

Können (to be able to, can) is one of the most frequently used modal verbs in German language. This verb lets you describe what you are capable to do and the possibility of something to be done. Below, you'll see how to conjugate the verb können for each personal pronoun in the present and past tenses.

Present Tense

In the examples below, note how the modal verb is conjugated, but the main verb is in its original, or infinitive form.

• Ich kann gut kochen. (I can cook well.)
• Sie können das Buch nehmen. (You can take the book.)
• Wir können morgen ins Kino gehen. (We can go to a movie tomorrow.)

Simple Past

In the simple German past tense, you can see how können loses its umlaut.

• Ich konnte gut kochen. (I was able to cook well.)
• Sie konnten das Buch nehmen. (You were able to take the book.)
• Wir konnten ins Kino gehen. (We were able to go to a movie.)

Past Participle

Create the past participle with a form of haben and the infinitive form of können. Moreover, the main verb will also be in the infinitive form to construct what we call the double infinitive. Further, place both verbs at the end of the sentence together and the modal verbs come at the end.

• Ich habe gut kochen sprechen können. (I was able to cook well.)
• Sie hast das Buch nehmen können. (You were able to take the book.)
• Wir haben gestern ins Kino gehen können. (We were able to go to a movie.)

When the sentence has no main verb, use a form of haben with gekonnt to create the past participle.

• Ich habe gut kochen gekonnt. (I was able to cook well.)
• Sie hast du das Buch nehmen gekonnt. (You were able to take the book.)
• Wir haben gestern ins Kino gekonnt. (We were able to go to a movie.)

2. Müssen

Müssen (to have to, must) modal verbs in German are used when you have to do or must do something.

Present Tense

Again, notice how the first vowel changes, this time from an “ü” to a “u.” Remember this change is only for the pronouns I, you, he, she, and it.

• Ich muss (I have to go.)
• Du musst (You must sleep.)
• Wir müssen jeden Tag früh aufstehen. (We must get up early everyday.)

Simple Past

Simple past is most often used in written German. Next, let's look at some examples in the simple past tense.

• Ich musste (I had to go.)
• Du musstest (You had to sleep.)
• Wir mussten früh aufstehen. (We had to get up early.)

Past Participle

The past participle is more common in spoken German. The rule for können applies here as well. Use a conjugated form of haben, then the main verb, and finally the infinitive müssen at the end.

• Ich habe gehen müssen. (I had to go.)
• Du hast schlafen müssen. (You had to sleep.)
• Wir haben früh aufstehen müssen. (We had to get up early.)

In some cases, you'll use the past participle form that includes haben and gemusst. However, you must only use this form when there is no main verb.

• Ich habe gemusst. (I had to.)
• Er hat gemusst. (He had to.)
• Ihr habt gemusst. (You, plural, had to.)

3. Dürfen

Dürfen (to be allowed to) is used to ask for permission or when you are allowed to do something. This verb usually used when talking about rules.

Present Tense

In the present tense, the “ü” changes to an “a” for I, you, he, she, and it.

• Ich darf Fernseh schauen. (I'm allowed to watch TV.)
• Du darfst (You may begin.)
• Wir dürfen Pause machen. (We may take a break.)

Simple Past

Here are modal verbs German example for Dürfen.

• Ich durfte Fernseh schauen. (I was allowed to watch TV.)
• Du durftest (You were allowed to begin.)
• Wir durften Pause machen. (We were allowed to take a break.)

Past Participle

Choose the correct form of haben and a double infinitive in past participle form, haben and gedurft is rarely used. In this form modal verbs comes at the end of the sentence.

• Ich habe Fernseh schauen dürfen. (I was allowed to watch TV.)
• Du hast anfangen dürfen. (You were allowed to begin.)
• Wir haben Pause machen dürfen. (We were allowed to take a break.)

4. Sollen

Sollen (to be supposed to, should) is used to express what you should do or what you are supposed to do. Sollen is the most regular of all the modal verbs.

Present Tense

Sollen is the most regular of all the modal verbs. In the present tense, Sollen implies how something should definitively occur. There is no vowel change in any of the conjugated forms.

• Ich soll (I should sleep.)
• Du sollst (You should go.)
• Wir sollen uns treffen. (We should meet.)

Simple Past

The simple past form of Sollen has the same endings as the other modal verbs.

• Ich sollte (I should sleep.)
• Du solltest (You should go.)
• Wir sollten uns treffen. (We should meet.)

Unlike the other form’s simple past tense, the meaning of Sollen doesn't change in the past form. The simple past form suggests that something should happen, but might not.

Past Participle

Past participle form is used to talk about what should have been. We use a double infinitive and the appropriate form of haben most of the time.

• Ich habe schlafen sollen. (I should have slept.)
• Du hast gehen sollen. (You should have gone.)
• Wir haben uns treffen sollen. (We should have met.)

5. Wollen

Wollen (to want to, to wish) is used to describe what you want. It refers to something you really strongly and firmly want to do or wish.

Present Tense

In the present tense, the “o” in wollen changes to “i” for the I, you, he, she, and it forms.

• Ich will Schokolade essen. (I want to eat chocolate.)
• Du willst einen Salat. (You want a salad.)
• Wir wollen nach Hause gehen. (We want to go home.)

Simple Past

Simple past is always formed by taking the root of the modal verb, removing the umlaut, and adding the appropriate ending.

• Ich wollte Schokolade essen. (I wanted to eat chocolate.)
• Du wolltest (You wanted salad.)
• Wir wollten nach Hause gehen. (We wanted to go home.)

Past Participle

Past participle is formed with haben and a double infinitive. Besides, the use of combo (haben and gewollt) is only done in the absence of a main verb.

• Ich habe Schokolade essen wollen. (I wanted to eat chocolate.)
• Du hast einen Salat ge wollt. (You wanted a salad.) No main verb is present.
• Wir haben nach Hause gehen wollen. (We wanted to go home.)

6. Mögen

Mögen (to want to, would like to) is a modal verb that you use to talk about who or what you like. This modal verb is often used on its own or combined with other verbs.

Present Tense

The “ö” in mögen changes to an “a” in the present tense.

• Ich mag (I like pasta.)
• Ihr mögt (You like pizza.)
• Wir mögen (We like Tennis.)

Simple Past

In addition to dropping its umlaut in the past tense, the “g” in mögen changes to a “ch.” The pronoun endings remain the same. Below are examples in the past tense.

• Ich mochte (I liked pasta.)
• Ihr mochtet (You liked pizza.)
• Wir mochten (We liked Tennis.)

Past Participle

To form the past participle, use a form of haben with gemocht. Unlike the past participle forms, mögen doesn't use the double infinitive form.

• Ich habe pasta gemocht. (I liked pasta.)
• Ihr habt Pizza gemocht. (You liked pizza.)
• Wir haben Tennis gemocht. (We liked Tennis.)

How to Use German Modal Verbs in a Sentence?

In a German sentence, a modal verbs (können, müssen, dürfen, sollen, wollen, mögen) are conjugated and used. Let us look at how German modal verbs are used in a sentence.

Subject-Verb-Order

The subject is placed first, followed by the conjugated modal verb in the second position, and finally, the infinitive of the main verb at the end. However, in a question, the conjugated modal verb is used at the beginning of the sentence, followed by the subject.

Modal and Main Verbs

German modal verbs modify the action of the main verb, which indicates ability, permission, necessity, etc. The infinitive form of the main verb is always placed at the end of the sentence.

Here are a few sentences in German using modal verbs for your reference.

• Ich kann Deutsch sprechen. (I can speak German.)
• Kann ich Deutsch sprechen? (Can I speak German?)
• Ich möchte (I would like that.)

Key Tips to Use Modal Verbs in German

Here are a few helpful tips for using modal verbs in German. By remembering these rules, you can avoid common mistakes, use modal verbs correctly, and communicate effectively.

1. Word Positioning: In German, the conjugated modal verb takes the second position in a sentence, while the main verb in its infinitive form is placed at the end.
2. Stem Vowel Changes: Most modal verbs (excluding sollen) undergo stem vowel changes when conjugated in the present tense.
3. Helping Verb for Past Participles: When forming the past participle of a modal verb, use the helping verb haben.
4. Umlauts Drop: Umlauts (¨) in modal verbs are dropped, especially in the past tenses.
5. Mögen and Double Infinitives: Mögen (to like) doesn't use double infinitives.

Exercise to Practice German Modal Verbs

Here is a modal verbs worksheet for your practice.You may read the instructions below and solve these ten questions. Further, the answer key is also provided to check your answers.

Instructions: Translate the following sentences in German using modal verbs in the correct form.

Exercise: Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the modal verb.

1. Ich __________ heute früher nach Hause gehen. (dürfen)
2. Er __________ gestern lange arbeiten. (müssen)
3. Wir __________ nicht ins Kino gehen, weil wir krank sind. (wollen)
4. Sie __________ als Kind sehr gut schwimmen. (können)
5. Du __________ dein Zimmer aufräumen! (sollen)
6. Ich __________ keine Milch trinken, als ich klein war. (mögen)
7. Ihr __________ eure Hausaufgaben machen. (müssen)
8. Mein Bruder __________ nie Gemüse essen. (wollen)
9. Wir __________ gestern Abend ins Konzert gehen. (dürfen)
10. Kannst du mir helfen, oder __________ du nicht? (können / wollen)

Answers

1. darf (Ich darf heute früher nach Hause gehen.)
2. musste (Er musste gestern lange arbeiten.)
3. wollen (Wir wollen nicht ins Kino gehen, weil wir krank sind.)
4. konnte (Sie konnte als Kind sehr gut schwimmen.)
5. sollst (Du sollst dein Zimmer aufräumen!)
6. mochte (Ich mochte keine Milch trinken, als ich klein war.)
7. müsst (Ihr müsst eure Hausaufgaben machen.)
8. wollte (Mein Bruder wollte nie Gemüse essen.)
9. durften (Wir durften gestern Abend ins Konzert gehen.)
10. kannst / willst (Kannst du mir helfen, oder willst du nicht?)

Conclusion

Wrapping up, the blog covered everything about model verbs in German. This includes why to use German verbs, how to use them in a sentence, and more. It covers all six types of model verbs in detail, along with their conjugated form and examples. Further, to be thorough with the topic, you must practice examples of 10 sentences in German using modal verbs every day. Besides, you may even seek professional help from Gradding.com, as our experts provide excellent German online coaching in this domain. Our experts will help you practice model verbs and master the language.

Some Useful Links:

• German Pronouns
• German Tenses
• German Prepositions

FAQ’s

How to Identify Modal Verbs in German?

Modal verbs in German show possibility, intent, ability, or necessity. They can be identified by their unique conjugation patterns and their placement in sentences. The conjugated verb appears in the second position, while the main verb is placed in infinitive form at the end.

Why Are Modal Verbs in German Essential?

German modal verbs are essential because they express a speaker's attitude or perspective towards an action, such as ability, permission, obligation, or desire. Moreover, they are crucial for conveying the meanings and avoiding literal translations.

What Is the Difference Between Können and Dürfen?

Können in German means 'to be able to' or ‘can’. On the other hand, Dürfen means to be permitted or allowed to.

What Is the Formula for a Modal Verb in German?

In German, the formula for using modal verbs is: Subject + conjugated modal verb + main verb in infinitive form. The conjugated modal verb takes the second position in the sentence, and the infinitive of the main verb appears at the end.