modalverbien

Modalverben, also known as modal verbs, are a special class of verbs in German. They express necessity, possibility, ability, permission, or obligation. Unlike regular verbs, modal verbs have a unique conjugation pattern and often appear in sentences with another infinitive verb. The primary German modal verbs are können, dürfen, müssen, sollen, wollen, and mögen.

Each modal verb carries a distinct meaning. Können indicates ability or possibility (e.g., Ich kann schwimmen - I can swim). Dürfen relates to permission or prohibition (e.g., Du darfst hier nicht parken - You are not allowed to park here). Müssen expresses strong necessity or obligation (e.g., Wir müssen gehen - We must go). Sollen conveys a command, advice, or something that is supposed to happen (e.g., Er soll bald kommen - He is supposed to come soon). Wollen expresses a desire or intention (e.g., Sie will reisen - She wants to travel). Mögen can mean to like something or to express a wish (e.g., Ich mag Schokolade - I like chocolate, or Er mag kommen - He may come).

In a typical sentence structure, the modal verb is conjugated and placed in the second position, while the main verb remains in its infinitive form at the end of the sentence. For example, in "Ich möchte ein Buch lesen" (I would like to read a book), "möchte" is the conjugated modal verb, and "lesen" is the infinitive. This construction is fundamental to expressing nuanced meanings in German.