Modal verbsWhat is a modal verb?

Modal verbs are very useful in German. They help you talk about what you have to do, want to do or are allowed to do and can be used in the present, past and conditional tenses.

Part ofGermanGrammar (for exams until 2025)

What is a modal verb?

Modal verbs – Modalverben – are a special group of verbs.

Use them to say:

UsageGermanEnglish
what you must domüssento have to, must
what you are able to dokönnento be able to, can
what you want to dowollento want (to)
what you are supposed to do/what you should do/what you ought to do (It often means 'shall', eg shall/should I help you?) sollento be supposed to, ought, should
what you may do/what you are allowed to dodürfento be allowed to, may
what you likemögento like
Usagewhat you must do
Germanmüssen
Englishto have to, must
Usagewhat you are able to do
Germankönnen
Englishto be able to, can
Usagewhat you want to do
Germanwollen
Englishto want (to)
Usagewhat you are supposed to do/what you should do/what you ought to do (It often means 'shall', eg shall/should I help you?)
Germansollen
Englishto be supposed to, ought, should
Usagewhat you may do/what you are allowed to do
Germandürfen
Englishto be allowed to, may
Usagewhat you like
Germanmögen
Englishto like
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How to form modal verbs

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