Modal verbs are used to show:
- Ability — what someone can do
- Permission — what someone may do
- Obligation/Necessity — what someone must do
- Possibility — what might happen
- Advice — what someone should do
Spanish modal verbs are usually followed by another verb in the infinitive form.
Key Modal Verbs
| Spanish Verb |
|---|
| poder |
| English Meaning(s) |
|---|
to be able to, can |
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1. Poder — can, to be able to
- Expresses ability or possibility.
- Often used to ask for or give permission.
Examples
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| ¿Puedes nadar bien? |
| English Example |
|---|
Can you swim well? |
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2. Deber — should, ought to, must
- Expresses advice, obligation, or probability.
Examples
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| ¿Puedes nadar bien? |
| English Example |
|---|
Can you swim well? |
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3. Tener que — to have to
- Expresses necessity or obligation.
- Followed by an infinitive.
Examples
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| ¿Puedes nadar bien? |
| English Example |
|---|
Can you swim well? |
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4. Querer — to want
- Expresses desire or willingness.
Examples
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| ¿Puedes nadar bien? |
| English Example |
|---|
Can you swim well? |
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5. Other Useful Verbs
Salir — to leave, to go out
- Often used to talk about going out or leaving.
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| Salgo de casa a las ocho. |
| English Example |
|---|
I leave home at eight. |
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Parecer — to seem
- Used to express opinions or impressions.
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| Parece que va a llover. |
| English Example |
|---|
It seems like it’s going to rain. |
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Caber — to fit
- Used to talk about fitting (in space, time, etc.).
| Spanish Example |
|---|
| No cabe en el coche. |
| English Example |
|---|
It doesn’t fit in the car. |
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Usage Tips
- Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive verb: puedo nadar, debo estudiar, tengo que salir.
- They do not change meaning when used in different tenses, but the context does (e.g., podía = could, debería = should [conditional]).
- Some modals, like deber and poder, are commonly used in their conditional forms (debería, podría) to sound more polite or hypothetical.
Summary
- Use poder for ability and permission.
- Use deber for advice and strong obligation.
- Use tener que for necessity and external obligation.
- Use querer for desire.
- Remember to follow modal verbs with an infinitive.
- Other verbs like salir, parecer, and caber can also express related meanings.
You’re all set to express nuances of ability, permission, obligation, and more in Spanish!
