A2Verbs

Können, müssen and wollen

Why does “sein” appear after “muss”?

Take a look

Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.

I can speak German.

Take a look

Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.I can speak German.
Du musst jetzt gehen.You have to go now.
Hier darf man nicht rauchen.You're not allowed to smoke here.
Ich möchte einen Kaffee bestellen.I would like to order a coffee.

The rule

Use können for an ability or a possibility, müssen for something necessary, and wollen for a wish or plan. The first verb changes with the person: ich kann, du kannst, er kann. A second verb stays in its dictionary form and usually goes to the end of the sentence: Das Projekt muss fertig sein. Möchten is a polite way to express a wish.

Remember: Changed modal first, basic verb at the end.

Goes with lesson 5, 9, 12 of the course.

What differs for you

English has can, must and want, so ability, duty and wishes are familiar. German adds a strong position rule: the modal verb is conjugated, while the other verb stays in its base form at the end. In “ich möchte schlafen”, the two verbs happen to be close. In longer course questions, words can stand between them; keep the pair together.

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The forms

können, müssen, wollen

Person	können	müssen	wollen
ich	kann	muss	will
du	kannst	musst	willst
er/sie/es	kann	muss	will
wir	können	müssen	wollen
ihr	könnt	müsst	wollt
sie/Sie	können	müssen	wollen

Common mistakes

*Ich können helfen.Ich kann helfen.
*Das Projekt muss ist fertig.Das Projekt muss fertig sein.

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Quick check

Choose the correct modal verb.Hier ___ man nicht rauchen. (prohibition)
Insert the correct modal verb.Ich ___ gut Klavier spielen. (ability)
Conjugate the modal verb.müssen (you)
Put the words in the correct order.gehen / wir / ins Kino / wollen
Correct the mistake.Er will nach Berlin fahren kann.
Choose the correct modal verb.___ ich bitte ein Glas Wasser haben? (polite)
Insert the correct form.Die Kinder ___ ihre Hausaufgaben machen. (obligation)

The answers appear after “Check”.

The same exercises come back in the course — there Langula remembers what you know and asks again at the right moment. Learn German free →

← Grammar

Verbs

A1Sein and habenWhy is it “ich bin” but “er ist”?A1Separable verbsWhy is “auf” at the end?A2Reflexive verbsWhy is mich in “Ich freue mich auf das Wochenende”?B1Passive voiceThe passive voice is used when the action is more important than who performs it.B1Subjunctive IISubjunctive II expresses unreal situations, wishes, polite requests, and hypothetical conditions.A2Requests and commandsWhat should you do in “Würze die Suppe”?

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