Grammar · A1 · Modals
Modals: können, müssen & friends
Modal is conjugated; main verb stays infinitive at the end: Ich muss umsteigen. Soft requests: Ich möchte… / Ich hätte gern… (politer than wollen). Also dürfen, sollen, mögen.
Bridges
EN can & must
PT poder & ter que
ES poder & tener que
FR pouvoir & devoir
Forms: können
I can
PT eu posso · ES puedo · FR je peux
you can
PT tu podes · ES puedes · FR tu peux
/
he/she can
PT ele/ela pode · ES puede · FR il/elle peut
we can
PT nós podemos · ES podemos · FR nous pouvons
you (formal) can
PT o senhor pode · ES usted puede · FR vous pouvez
Forms: müssen
I must / have to
PT eu tenho que · ES tengo que · FR je dois
you must
PT tu tens que · ES tienes que · FR tu dois
/
he/she must
PT ele/ela tem que · ES tiene que · FR il/elle doit
we must
PT nós temos que · ES tenemos que · FR nous devons
you (formal) must
PT o senhor tem que · ES usted debe · FR vous devez
Forms: Also: want / may / should / like
/
I want / you want
wollen
/ …?
I may / may I…?
dürfen
/
I should / you should
sollen
/
I like / you like
mögen
· … ·
modal conjugated; main verb last
no zu
Examples
.
I have to change trains.
Modal conjugated; infinitive at the end
?
Can you help?
.
We can wait here.
.
You have to turn right.
?
May I ask quickly?
.
I want to go to Alexanderplatz.
.
I like coffee.
.
You still have to wait. (formal)
Common mistakes
- Putting the infinitive next to the modal (*Ich muss umsteigen hier* word order slips).
- Using English-like *muss zu* — German is muss + infinitive, no zu.
- Confusing können (ability/permission) with müssen (obligation).
- Conjugating the main verb too (*Ich muss umsteige*).
When you use it in Berlin
Transit and offices: Ich muss hier aussteigen. Können Sie mir helfen? Sie müssen warten.
Quick check
1/3
Modal form:
___ ?