🩺 German Modal Verbs Medical FSP

Learn German Modal Verbs from Zero

Choose a verb, pick your level, learn the pattern, and test yourself — all in one place.

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What is a modal verb?

Modal verbs express attitude: ability, obligation, permission, advice, desire, or liking. In German, the modal verb is conjugated and the main verb stays at the end in its infinitive form.

Golden rule: Conjugated modal = position 2 · Main verb = last word.
Example: Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
German pronouns at a glance

German has three ways to say you. The verb form is the same for ihr and Sie in many tenses, so the context tells you which one is meant.

PronounContextExample
duone person, informalDu kannst langsam gehen. — You (one person, informal) can walk slowly.
ihrseveral people, informalIhr könnt langsam gehen. — You (several people, informal) can walk slowly.
Sieformal, one or more peopleSie können langsam gehen. — You (formal) can walk slowly.
Clinical register: In medical practice, use Sie with patients and their relatives. Use du / ihr with close colleagues, friends, or family.

The word sie (lowercase) can also mean she or they. Context and the verb form tell them apart: sie ist = she is, sie sind = they are, Sie sind = you are (formal).

Choose a verb and level

Each card has all CEFR levels. Click a level to open its dedicated learning page.

können

ability / possibility — can / to be able to

Der Patient kann langsam gehen.The patient can walk slowly.

A1 A2 B1 B2 C1

müssen

obligation / necessity — must / to have to

Ich muss die Tablette nehmen.I have to take the tablet.

A1 A2 B1 B2 C1

dürfen

permission / prohibition — may / to be allowed to

Sie dürfen das Zimmer verlassen.You may leave the room.

A1 A2 B1 B2 C1

sollen

advice / instruction — should / to be supposed to

Sie sollen viel Wasser trinken.You should drink a lot of water.

A1 A2 B1 B2 C1

wollen

desire / intention — to want to

Ich will mich besser fühlen.I want to feel better.

A1 A2 B1 B2 C1

mögen

liking / polite wish — to like / would like

Möchten Sie ein Glas Wasser?Would you like a glass of water?

A1 A2 B1 B2 C1
Six verbs at a glance
VerbMeaningsich / du / er
könnento be able to, cankann / kannst / kann
müssenmust, to have tomuss / musst / muss
dürfento be allowed to, maydarf / darfst / darf
sollenshould, to be supposed tosoll / sollst / soll
wollento want towill / willst / will
mögento like, may (in wishes)mag / magst / mag
Tips & tricks to learn faster
  1. Learn ich/du/er first. The other three persons usually look like the infinitive.
  2. Watch the umlaut. In Konjunktiv II, modal verbs often gain an umlaut: kann → könnte, muss → müsste, darf → dürfte.
  3. möchten is your polite friend. Use it for wishes and offers: Möchten Sie Wasser?
  4. Negation is not always “not”. German often uses kein/keine instead of nicht with nouns.
  5. Build one sentence per verb per day. Repetition beats cramming.
Common beginner mistake: Do not conjugate the main verb. Only the modal verb changes.
❌ Ich kann spreche Deutsch.   ✅ Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
Medical vocabulary you will see
der Arzt / die Ärztin = doctor
der Patient / die Patientin = patient
das Medikament = medication
die Tablette = tablet
die Symptome = symptoms
die Schmerzen = pain
der Termin = appointment
das Rezept = prescription
die Impfung = vaccination
sich ausruhen = to rest
viel Wasser trinken = drink a lot of water
zum Arzt gehen = go to the doctor
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