Modal verbs in Spanish
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Sign up for freeModal verbs in Spanish are used together with the infinitive of a verb. They "modify" the statement of the full verb in the sentences to express a possibility, necessity, ability, obligation or permission. The following verbs are the most important modal verbs in Spanish:
- poder (can)
- saber (to know)
- querer (to want to)
- deber (must)
- soler (to do something usually)
- tener que (to have to)
Lesson outline
HidePoder (can)
The spanish verb "poder" expresses a possibility:
- ¿Puedes ayudarme? - Can you help me?
- ¿Puedes venir a la reunión? - Can you come to the meeting?
- Hoy no puedo ir al trabajo. - Today I can not come to work.
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Irene M. 
Irene M. 
Fammy M. 
Gian Francesco D.
Luis S.
Vania R. 
Paula C. 
Patricia I.
Serge M. 
Núria R.
Irene M.
Irene M.
Fammy M.
Gian Francesco D.
Luis S.
Vania R.
Paula C.
Patricia I.
Saber (to know)
As a modal verb "saber" describes an ability:
- Mi hija todavía no sabe nadar. - My daughter still does not know how to swim.
- Sé tocar el piano. - I know how to play the piano.
- Los estudiantes no saben hablar francés. - The studens don't know how to speak French.
Querer (to want)
With "querer" you can express a possibility:
- Quiero hacer una fiesta. - I want to have a party.
- Queremos viajar a Tenerife. - We want to travel to Tenerife.
- El perro no quiere comer. - The dog doesn't want to eat.
Deber (must)
The modal verb "deber" is used to describe obligations:
- Debes ponerte botas. - You must wear boots.
- Los niños deben dormir temprano. - The children must sleep early.
- Debes trabajar más. - You must work more.
Soler (to do something usually)
"Soler" is used to express regularities:
- Suelo estudiar por la tarde. - I usually study in the afternoon.
- Jorge y Laura no suelen ir a ese restaurante. - Jorge and Laura usually do not go to that restaurant.
- Toda la familia suele comer junta los domingos. - The whole family usually eats together on Sundays.
Tener que (to have to)
With "tener que" you can describe obligations:
- Tengo que estudiar mucho para el examen. - I have to study very much for the exam.
- Tienes que decir algo. - You have to say something.
- No tienen que caminar a la casa. - They don't have to walk to the house.
In this lesson you got to know the most important modal verbs in Spanish. Test your knowledge now in our free exercises. Good luck!
Exercises
Practice the use of modal verbs in Spanish
Formulate the answers with modal verbs.
1. ¿Tenéis que trabajar mucho hoy? - No, no tenemos que trabajar mucho hoy.
Do you have to work hard todday? - No, we don't have to work hard today.
2. ¿Quieres visitar la exposición? - Sí, .
Do you want to visit the exhibition? - Yes, I want to visit the exhibition.
3. ¿Sabes tocar el piano? - No, .
Do you know how to play the piano? - No, I don't know how to play the piano.
4. ¿Debéis asistir a la conferencia esta tarde? - No, .
Schould you attend the conference this afternoon? - No, we should not attend the conference this afternoon.
5. ¿Puedes venir a la fiesta? - Sí, .
Can you come to the party? - Yes, I can come to the party?
6. ¿Tienes que esperar a tu amigo? - Sí, .
Do you have to wait for your friend? - Yes, I have to wait for my friend.
7. ¿Puedo tomar otro trozo de tarta? - Sí, .
Can I have another piece of cake? - Yes, you can have another piece of cake.
8. ¿Quieres comprar ese carro? - No, .
Do you want to buy that car? - No, I don't want to buy that car.
9. ¿Quiere ver la película nueva? - Sí, .
Does he want to watch the new movie? - Yes, he wants to watch the new movie.
10. ¿Necesitéis leer el libro? - Sí, .
Do you need to read the book? - Yes, we need to read the book.
Drag in the correct modal verb
Exercises
Practice the use of modal verbs in Spanish
Formulate the answers with modal verbs.
1. ¿Tenéis que trabajar mucho hoy? - No, no tenemos que trabajar mucho hoy.
Do you have to work hard todday? - No, we don't have to work hard today.
2. ¿Quieres visitar la exposición? - Sí, .
Do you want to visit the exhibition? - Yes, I want to visit the exhibition.
3. ¿Sabes tocar el piano? - No, .
Do you know how to play the piano? - No, I don't know how to play the piano.
4. ¿Debéis asistir a la conferencia esta tarde? - No, .
Schould you attend the conference this afternoon? - No, we should not attend the conference this afternoon.
5. ¿Puedes venir a la fiesta? - Sí, .
Can you come to the party? - Yes, I can come to the party?
6. ¿Tienes que esperar a tu amigo? - Sí, .
Do you have to wait for your friend? - Yes, I have to wait for my friend.
7. ¿Puedo tomar otro trozo de tarta? - Sí, .
Can I have another piece of cake? - Yes, you can have another piece of cake.
8. ¿Quieres comprar ese carro? - No, .
Do you want to buy that car? - No, I don't want to buy that car.
9. ¿Quiere ver la película nueva? - Sí, .
Does he want to watch the new movie? - Yes, he wants to watch the new movie.
10. ¿Necesitéis leer el libro? - Sí, .
Do you need to read the book? - Yes, we need to read the book.