German Modal Verbs: können, müssen, dürfen, wollen, sollen, mögen
Master können, müssen, dürfen, wollen, sollen, mögen — the power tools of German grammar.
German has six modal verbs that work together with infinitives to express nuanced meanings. They are irregular in the singular present tense but follow a consistent pattern.
The Six Modals at a Glance
Here are the six modal verbs with their core meanings:
- 1können — can / to be able to
- 2müssen — must / to have to
- 3dürfen — may / to be allowed to
- 4wollen — to want to
- 5sollen — should / supposed to
- 6mögen — to like / möchten (to would like)
How Modals Work
Modals pair with an infinitive at the end of the sentence: "Ich kann Deutsch sprechen." (I can speak German.) "Er muss jetzt gehen." (He must go now.) The modal is conjugated; the main verb stays as an infinitive at the end.
The Subtle Differences
Müssen vs. sollen: "Ich muss gehen" means I need to go (internal obligation). "Ich soll gehen" means I am supposed to go (external obligation — someone told me to). Dürfen vs. können: "Darf ich?" = May I? (permission). "Kann ich?" = Can I? (ability).