German Modal Verbs Explained (A1): How to Use Können, Müssen, Dürfen & More
Beyond German Team
What if I told you there's a grammar shortcut that lets you express complex ideas in German - starting from week one?
No endless verb conjugation tables. No confusing tense changes. Just one simple pattern that unlocks dozens of real-world sentences.
That shortcut is German modal verbs (Modalverben).
Modal verbs are special because they push the main verb to the end of the sentence in its simplest form (the infinitive). This means you only need to conjugate one verb - the modal - and the rest stays easy.
This guide will teach you:
- All 6 German modal verbs and what they mean
- How to conjugate them (with a cheat sheet)
- The word order rule you must follow
- A sentence builder template you can use instantly
- Common mistakes learners make (and how to avoid them)
What Are Modal Verbs in German?
Modal verbs modify the meaning of another verb. They express things like:
- Ability - "I can swim."
- Obligation - "I must go."
- Permission - "You may enter."
- Desire - "I want to eat."
In German, there are 6 core modal verbs:
| German | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| können | can / to be able to | Ich kann schwimmen. (I can swim.) |
| müssen | must / have to | Ich muss arbeiten. (I must work.) |
| wollen | want to | Ich will schlafen. (I want to sleep.) |
| sollen | should / supposed to | Du sollst lernen. (You should study.) |
| dürfen | may / to be allowed to | Du darfst gehen. (You may go.) |
| mögen | to like / may (polite) | Ich mag Kaffee. (I like coffee.) |
Bonus: "möchten" (would like to) is derived from "mögen" and is extremely common: Ich möchte einen Kaffee. (I would like a coffee.)
Modal Verb Conjugation Cheat Sheet
Modal verbs have irregular conjugations in the ich and er/sie/es forms (they look the same!). Here's the full present tense:
können (can)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | kann |
| du | kannst |
| er/sie/es | kann |
| wir | können |
| ihr | könnt |
| sie/Sie | können |
müssen (must)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | muss |
| du | musst |
| er/sie/es | muss |
| wir | müssen |
| ihr | müsst |
| sie/Sie | müssen |
wollen (want)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | will |
| du | willst |
| er/sie/es | will |
| wir | wollen |
| ihr | wollt |
| sie/Sie | wollen |
sollen (should)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | soll |
| du | sollst |
| er/sie/es | soll |
| wir | sollen |
| ihr | sollt |
| sie/Sie | sollen |
dürfen (may/allowed to)
| Pronoun | Conjugation |
|---|---|
| ich | darf |
| du | darfst |
| er/sie/es | darf |
| wir | dürfen |
| ihr | dürft |
| sie/Sie | dürfen |
mögen (like) / möchten (would like)
| Pronoun | mögen | möchten |
|---|---|---|
| ich | mag | möchte |
| du | magst | möchtest |
| er/sie/es | mag | möchte |
| wir | mögen | möchten |
| ihr | mögt | möchtet |
| sie/Sie | mögen | möchten |
The Golden Rule: Word Order with Modal Verbs
This is where the "cheat code" kicks in.
When you use a modal verb, the main verb goes to the END of the sentence in its infinitive form (unconjugated).
The pattern:
[Subject] + [Modal Verb (conjugated)] + [Middle Stuff] + [Infinitive Verb]Examples:
- Ich kann heute nicht kommen. (I can't come today.)
- Er muss morgen früh aufstehen. (He has to get up early tomorrow.)
- Wir wollen Pizza essen. (We want to eat pizza.)
- Du darfst hier nicht rauchen. (You're not allowed to smoke here.)
Notice how the infinitive (kommen, aufstehen, essen, rauchen) always lands at the very end? That's the rule. Always.
Sentence Builder Template (Use This!)
Here's a plug-and-play template to build your own modal verb sentences:
| Slot 1: Subject | Slot 2: Modal | Slot 3: Details | Slot 4: Infinitive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ich | kann | heute nicht | kommen |
| Du | musst | jetzt | gehen |
| Wir | wollen | morgen | feiern |
| Sie | darf | hier | parken |
| Er | soll | mehr | lernen |
Practice tip: Take any infinitive verb you know (gehen, essen, schlafen, arbeiten, spielen) and slot it into the template with different modals. You'll quickly build dozens of correct sentences.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Mistake 1: Conjugating BOTH verbs
Wrong: Ich kann komme.
Right: Ich kann kommen.
Only the modal verb is conjugated. The main verb stays in the infinitive.
❌ Mistake 2: Putting the infinitive in the wrong place
Wrong: Ich kann kommen heute nicht.
Right: Ich kann heute nicht kommen.
The infinitive must go at the end. No exceptions in main clauses.
❌ Mistake 3: Forgetting the infinitive entirely
Wrong: Ich will nach Hause. (Missing verb!)
Right: Ich will nach Hause gehen.
Exception: Sometimes native speakers drop obvious infinitives like "gehen" or "fahren" in casual speech, but as a learner, always include them.
❌ Mistake 4: Confusing "müssen" and "sollen"
müssen = internal necessity / objective must ("I have to eat or I'll starve.")
sollen = external expectation / someone else says so ("My boss says I should finish this.")
Think of "sollen" as "supposed to" - there's an outside voice telling you what to do.
Negation with Modal Verbs
To make a modal sentence negative, add "nicht" before the infinitive (or before the thing you're negating).
- Ich kann nicht schwimmen. (I can't swim.)
- Du darfst hier nicht rauchen. (You can't smoke here.)
- Wir müssen nicht bezahlen. (We don't have to pay.)
Important: "nicht müssen" means "don't have to" (no obligation), NOT "must not." To express prohibition, use "nicht dürfen":
- Du darfst nicht gehen. = You must not go. (forbidden)
- Du musst nicht gehen. = You don't have to go. (optional)
Quick Practice Sentences
Translate these to German using modal verbs:
- I want to learn German.
- She has to work tomorrow.
- We can't come today.
- You (formal) may sit here.
- He should sleep more.
Answers:
- Ich will Deutsch lernen.
- Sie muss morgen arbeiten.
- Wir können heute nicht kommen.
- Sie dürfen hier sitzen.
- Er soll mehr schlafen.
FAQ
What's the difference between "wollen" and "möchten"?
wollen = strong desire, can sound blunt or demanding.
möchten = polite wish, softer request.
Use "möchten" when ordering food, asking for things, or being polite. Use "wollen" when stating strong intentions.
Can modal verbs be used without another verb?
Sometimes, yes - when the meaning is obvious:
- Ich muss jetzt. (= Ich muss jetzt gehen.) - I have to go now.
- Kannst du Deutsch? (= Kannst du Deutsch sprechen?) - Can you speak German?
But as a beginner, always include the infinitive for clarity.
How do I use modal verbs in the past tense?
For the simple past (Präteritum), modal verbs change their stems. This is an A2/B1 topic, but here's a preview:
- können → konnte
- müssen → musste
- wollen → wollte
Focus on the present tense first. You'll encounter past modals naturally as you progress.
Final Thoughts: Your Week 1 Cheat Code
Modal verbs are the fastest way to start speaking German meaningfully.
With just 6 verbs and one word order rule, you can express:
- What you want
- What you need to do
- What you can or can't do
- What you're allowed to do
- What you should do
That's a massive chunk of daily communication - unlocked in week one.
Start with "können" and "müssen." Build sentences. Speak out loud. Make mistakes.
The grammar tables can wait. Your German journey starts now.