Why do we need modal verbs?

Everyone knows that verbs are used to describe actions. And to express the attitude of the speaker to the action, there are modal verbs. German language in this respect does not differ from other European languages. Whether we can, whether we want, we are able or forced to do something - in such cases we use a modal verb in combination with an infinitive.

Example:

Du sollst leben. You must live.

Ich kann Tennis spielen. I can play tennis.

Modal verbs in German

Können, möchten, dürfen, müssen, sollen, wollen - all of them express the desire, possibility or necessity of the action, are close in meaning, but differ in its shades.

For better memorization, modal verbs are usually divided into pairs: können and dürfen (to have the opportunity), sollen and müssen (to be due), wollen and möchten (want).

If the verb können means that someone has the ability or is able to do something, then dürfen is used in the sense of "having permission":

Ich kann schwimmen. I can swim. In the sense of: "because I have this skill."

Ich darf schwimmen. I can swim. In the meaning: "because it's allowed to me".

Modal verbs sollen and müssen both express duty. What are the shades of meaning?

If the verb sollen is used in the sense of "obligated by someone's order or instruction", then müssen is less categorical form of obligation (assuming the awareness of one's own need or the need for submission to objective circumstances).

Wir sollen das Auto hier lassen. We must leave the car here. For example, in a situation where the road sign prohibits driving further, and we must go the rest of the way on foot.

Ich muss das Auto hier lassen. I must leave the car here. For example, because it requires repair, and I understand that it is dangerous to continue driving on it.

The modal verbs wollen and möchten express the desire.

But if wollen categorical form denoting firm intentions and already approved decisions (the fulfillment of which is beyond doubt), möchten is more suitable for expressing a delicate unobtrusive request or the assumption that the desired will be fulfilled. Compare:

Ich will trinken. I'm thirsty.

Ich möchte Apfelsaft trinken. I would like to drink apple juice.

As you can see from the examples, modal verbs require an addition in the form of an infinitive, which is used without zu.

Du darfst nicht rauchen. You are not allowed to smoke.

Hier dürfen Kinder spielen. It is allowed to play for children here.

Modal verbs vary in numbers and genera (conjugated) by adding appropriate endings and sometimes require a change of root vowel.

For example:

1l., Un. H .: ich darf - I can, I'm allowed.

2l., Unit: du darfst - you can, you are allowed.

3l., Unit: er, sie, es darf - he, she, it can; He, she, is allowed to him.

1l., Pl. H .: wir dürfen - we can, we are allowed.

2l., Plural: ihr dürft - you can, you are allowed.

3l., Plural: sie dürfen - they can, they are allowed.

Polite form of treatment: Sie dürfen - You can, you are allowed.

The modal verb gives an additional shade of meaning to the main verb, specifying it. Let's give an example:

Lena fährt übers Wochenende nach Moskau.

Lena goes to Moscow on weekends.

The sentence uses the main verb "fahren" - "to go." And from what has been said, we understand that Lena will not be at home at the weekend, she will leave for Moscow.

Otherwise you can say:

Lena kann übers Wochenende nach Moskau fahren.

Lena can go to Moscow on weekends.

Using the modal verb können, we focus the reader on the fact that Lena, if she wishes and favorable circumstances can go to Moscow - there are no obvious obstacles to this action.

Let's see what happens to the meaning of the sentence, if we add the modal verb möchten:

Lena möchte übers Wochenende nach Moskau fahren.

Lena would like to go to Moscow on the weekend.

It becomes clear that Lena wants to go to Moscow, but if her wish is fulfilled, it is not yet known.

How will the meaning of the sentence change if we use the modal verb sollen:

Lena soll übers Wochenende nach Moskau fahren.

After reading this sentence, we know for sure that Lena in any case should go to Moscow on the weekend - whether she wants it or not.

If, in the sentence, the modal verb dürfen is used, the reader will understand that Lena received permission to travel to Moscow:

Lena darf übers Wochenende nach Moskau fahren. Lena can go to Moscow on the weekend with a spicy conscience, apparently the parents or other authoritative persons for her gave their consent to this trip.