Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
English: I can speak German.
- Language
- German
- Level
- A1
- Unit
- Verben und Verbformen
- Practice types
- 0
What this grammar point covers
Modal verbs in German (Modalverben) are special verbs used with another verb to express ability, necessity, or desire. The most common at A1 level are: können (can), müssen (must), and wollen (want).
When to use it
Use modal verbs in German to talk about what you can do, must do, or want to do. They are used with another verb in its basic form (Infinitiv) at the end of the sentence.
Key forms
- ich kann, du kannst, er/sie/es kann
- ich muss, du musst, er/sie/es muss
- ich will, du willst, er/sie/es will
Examples
Du musst heute arbeiten.
English: You must work today.
Wir wollen Pizza essen.
English: We want to eat pizza.
Kannst du mir helfen?
English: Can you help me?
Er muss zur Schule gehen.
English: He must go to school.
Tips
- The modal verb comes in the second position in the sentence. The main verb (Infinitiv) goes to the end.
- Modal verbs have irregular forms, especially in 'du' and 'er/sie/es'.
- Only the modal verb is conjugated; the other verb stays in its basic form.
Exceptions and edge cases
- Modal verbs do not use 'zu' with the infinitive.
- In questions, the modal verb comes first.