German modal verbs
With a modal verb, the modal is conjugated and the main verb normally appears as an infinitive at the end. Learn the meaning differences through real situations: ability, obligation, permission, intention and advice.
Useful examples
1
Ich kann heute länger lernen.
I can study longer today.
2
Du musst morgen früh aufstehen.
You have to get up early tomorrow.
3
Darf ich hier sitzen?
May I sit here?
Common mistakes
- Conjugating both verbs.
- Putting the main infinitive in the middle.
- Treating müssen and sollen as identical.
Learn it better
- Attach each modal to a real-life situation.
- Drill the final infinitive position.
- Practise with short question-answer pairs.
Continue learning
Turn grammar into usable language
Read one topic, then apply the structure in JadoLearn practice and lessons.