A1 · GRAMMAR

Modal verbs

Modal verbs add meaning to another verb: to be able to do, to have to do, to want to do, to be allowed to do. In a sentence, the modal verb is conjugated in the second position, while the main verb goes to the very end in its infinitive form. This 'frame' structure is very common in German.

In this lesson

1. können

to be able to (ability, possibility).

Ich kann gut kochen.

I can cook well.

2. müssen

to have to, must.

Ich muss arbeiten.

I have to work.

3. wollen / möchten

to want. möchten is more polite.

Ich möchte einen Kaffee.

I would like a coffee.

4. dürfen

to be allowed to; nicht dürfen = forbidden.

Darf ich hier parken?

May I park here?

5. Structure

Modal verb in 2nd position, main verb infinitive and at the end.

Du musst heute arbeiten.

You have to work today.

💡 With modal verbs, the ich and er/sie/es forms are the same and do not take an ending: ich kann – er kann, ich muss – er muss.