Modal Verbs
The definition of modal verbs is that modal verbs do not express an action but clarify the semantic value of the main verb (which describes the action of the subject).
e.g. Ich muss zahlen. = I have to pay. / I must pay.
Ich will zahlen. = I want to pay.
Ich kann zahlen. = I can pay.
As you can see in the examples the meaning between the three sentences is quite different even though the main verb is in all three the same.
German Modal Verbs:
There are 6 modal verbs in German
e.g. Ich muss zahlen. = I have to pay. / I must pay.
Ich will zahlen. = I want to pay.
Ich kann zahlen. = I can pay.
As you can see in the examples the meaning between the three sentences is quite different even though the main verb is in all three the same.
German Modal Verbs:
There are 6 modal verbs in German
- können – to can, be able to
- sollen – shall
- wollen – to want (not “to will” in E)
- müssen – must, to have to (not “Ich habe zu” in G)
- mögen – to like, to want
- dürfen – may, to be allowed to
Examples:
Ich will Fußball spielen. – I want to play football.
Er soll zu Hause bleiben. – He should stay at home.
Wir müssen nach Hause fahren. – We have to drive home.
Darfst du nach der Schule ins Kino gehen? – Are you allowed to go to cinema after school?
Leider kann ich dir nicht helfen. – Unfortunately I can’t help you.
Ich mag dich nicht danach fragen. – I dont want to ask you about it.
Ich will Fußball spielen. – I want to play football.
Er soll zu Hause bleiben. – He should stay at home.
Wir müssen nach Hause fahren. – We have to drive home.
Darfst du nach der Schule ins Kino gehen? – Are you allowed to go to cinema after school?
Leider kann ich dir nicht helfen. – Unfortunately I can’t help you.
Ich mag dich nicht danach fragen. – I dont want to ask you about it.