Modal Verben: Examples

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Hallo!🙂
In the previous post - Modal Verben, modal verbs were introduced, along with their conjugation and usage. Let us now understand their meanings with examples.

dürfen [Permission/Prohibition]

1. Hier darf man nicht rauchen.
One is not allowed to smoke here.
2. Entschuldigung, Sie dürfen hier nicht parken.
Excuse me, you are not allowed to park here.
3. Darf ich ins Kino gehen, Mutter?
May I go to the movie theater, mother?

können [Ability]

1. Wir können heute nicht kommen.
We can't come today.
2. Wie kann ich Ihnen helfen?
How can I help you?
3. Er kann schwimmen.
He can swim.

möchten [Desire/Wish]

1. Möchtest du einen Orangensaft?
Would you like orange juice?
2. Ich möchte Pilot werden.
I want to become a pilot.
3. Ich möchte gern mitkommen, aber ich muß erst meinen Vater fragen.
I would like to come along, but I must ask my father first.

müssen [Compulsion]

1. Ram hat morgen Examen. Er muß lernen.
Ram has exam tomorrow. He must learn.
2. Ich möchte gern mitkommen, aber ich muß erst meinen Vater fragen.
I would like to come along, but I must ask my father first.
3. Ich muß meine Hausaufgabe machen.
I must do my homework.

sollen [Advice]

1. Du sollst den Arzt besuchen.
You should go to the doctor.
2. Er soll nett sein.
He's supposed to be nice.
3. Wir sollen nicht schnell fahren.
We should not drive fast.

wollen [Demand]

1. Ich fahre nach Manali. Willst du mitfahren?
I'm going to Manali. Do you want to come along?
2. Was will Petra machen?
What does Petra want to do?
3. Wer will mit mir gehen?
Who wants to come with me?

Special Structure - Verb Omission

In some of the sentences where the context clearly implies the action, the main verb is omitted. For example:
Möchten Sie Tee oder Kaffee trinken?
In the above sentence, it is pretty obvious that tea or coffee would be drunk, hence the verb "trinken" is omitted.
Here are some more examples:
1. Ich kann Hindi und Englisch.
I know Hindi and English.
2. Möchten Sie etwas?
Would you like to have something?
3. Er darf jetzt nach Hause.
He is now allowed to go home.
4. Er will Spaß.
He wants to have fun.

Difference between möchten and wollen:

"wollen" and "möchten" express wish or desire. Out of the two, "möchten" is the politer way of expressing the will. Therefore, "möchten" is used often in formal letters. "wollen" is more frequently used than "möchten" in colloquial language.
Ich muß jetzt gehen

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