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<div class="pg_page_title">[[Language/German|German]]  → [[Language/German/Grammar|Grammar]] → [[Language/German/Grammar/0-to-A1-Course|0 to A1 Course]] → Modal Verbs → Talking About Obligations</div>


<div class="pg_page_title">German Grammar → Modal Verbs → Talking About Obligations</div>
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<h1>Talking About Obligations</h1>
== Introduction ==
 
In this lesson, we will learn how to talk about obligations and responsibilities using modal verbs in German. Modal verbs are an important part of German grammar and are used to express various meanings such as ability, possibility, necessity, and obligation. Talking about obligations is essential in daily life, as it allows us to communicate our duties and responsibilities. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use modal verbs to express obligations and understand how to form sentences in German. Let's get started!
 
== Modal Verbs for Expressing Obligations ==
 
In German, there are three main modal verbs that are commonly used to express obligations. These modal verbs are:
 
* "müssen" - to have to, must
* "sollen" - to should, ought to
* "dürfen" - to be allowed to, may
 
Each of these modal verbs has its own specific meaning and usage when it comes to obligations. Let's take a closer look at each one.
 
=== "Müssen" - to have to, must ===
 
The modal verb "müssen" is used to express a strong obligation or necessity. It indicates that someone is required to do something or that something is unavoidable. Here are some examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Ich muss zur Arbeit gehen. || [ɪç mʊs t͡suːɐ̯ aʁˈbaɪ̯t ˈɡeːən] || I have to go to work.
|-
| Du musst dein Zimmer aufräumen. || [du mʊst daɪ̯n ˈtsɪmɐ ˈaʊ̯fˌʁɔɪ̯mən] || You have to clean up your room.
|-
| Wir müssen pünktlich sein. || [vɪɐ̯ ˈmʏsn̩ ˈpʏŋktlɪç zaɪ̯n] || We have to be on time.
|-
| Sie müssen Deutsch lernen. || [ziː ˈmʏsn̩ ˈdɔʏ̯t͡ʃ ˈleːʁnən] || They have to learn German.
|}
 
=== "Sollen" - to should, ought to ===
 
The modal verb "sollen" is used to express a recommendation or advice. It indicates that someone is expected or supposed to do something. Here are some examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Du solltest mehr Sport treiben. || [du ˈzɔlˌstɛst meːɐ ʃpɔʁt ˈtʁaɪ̯bən] || You should do more sports.
|-
| Wir sollten rechtzeitig losgehen. || [vɪɐ̯ ˈzɔltn̩ ˈʁaɪ̯çtɪç loːsˈɡeːən] || We should leave on time.
|-
| Sie sollten öfter Gemüse essen. || [ziː ˈzɔltn̩ ˈœftɐ ɡəˈmyːzə ˈɛsn̩] || They should eat more vegetables.
|}
 
=== "Dürfen" - to be allowed to, may ===
 
The modal verb "dürfen" is used to express permission or the lack of permission. It indicates that someone is allowed or not allowed to do something. Here are some examples:
 
{| class="wikitable"
! German !! Pronunciation !! English
|-
| Ich darf nicht fernsehen. || [ɪç dɑʁf nɪçt ˈfɛʁnˌzeːən] || I'm not allowed to watch TV.
|-
| Du darfst das Buch behalten. || [du ˈdaʁfst das buːx bəˈhaːltən] || You may keep the book.
|-
| Wir dürfen hier nicht rauchen. || [vɪɐ̯ ˈdʏʁfn̩ hiːɐ̯ nɪçt ˈʁaʊ̯çən] || We are not allowed to smoke here.
|-
| Sie dürfen den Raum betreten. || [ziː ˈdʏʁfn̩ deːn ˈʁaʊ̯m bəˈtʁeːtn̩] || They may enter the room.
|}
 
== Forming Sentences with Modal Verbs ==


<p>In German, we use modal verbs to talk about obligations and responsibilities. These verbs indicate whether something is necessary, allowed or prohibited. They are called modal verbs because they modify the meaning of the verb they accompany. The most commonly used modal verbs for talking about obligations are "müssen", "sollen" and "dürfen".</p>
To form sentences with modal verbs, we need to understand the basic sentence structure in German. The basic word order in a German sentence is as follows:


<h2>"Müssen": To Have To / Must</h2>
Subject + Modal Verb + Infinitive Verb + Rest of the Sentence


<p>"Müssen" is used to express strong obligation or duty. It is the equivalent of "have to" or "must" in English. Here are some examples:</p>
Here are some examples using the modal verb "müssen":


<table class="wikitable">
* Ich muss gehen. (I have to go.)
  <tr>
* Du musst lernen. (You have to learn.)
    <th>German</th>
* Wir müssen arbeiten. (We have to work.)
    <th>Pronunciation</th>
* Sie müssen Deutsch sprechen. (They have to speak German.)
    <th>English</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Ich muss arbeiten.</td>
    <td>[ɪç mʊs ˈaʁ.baɪ.tən]</td>
    <td>I have to work.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Du musst mir helfen.</td>
    <td>[du mʊst mɪʁ ˈhɛl.fən]</td>
    <td>You must help me.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Er muss um 6 Uhr aufstehen.</td>
    <td>[eːɐ̯ mʊs ʔʊm zɛk.s ʊfˈʃteː.ən]</td>
    <td>He has to get up at 6 o'clock.</td>
  </tr>
</table>


<h2>"Sollen": To Should / Ought to</h2>
And here are some examples using the modal verb "sollen":


<p>"Sollen" is used to express duty or moral obligation. It is the equivalent of "should" or "ought to" in English. Here are some examples:</p>
* Du solltest kommen. (You should come.)
* Wir sollten helfen. (We should help.)
* Sie sollten pünktlich sein. (They should be on time.)


<table class="wikitable">
Lastly, here are some examples using the modal verb "dürfen":
  <tr>
    <th>German</th>
    <th>Pronunciation</th>
    <th>English</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Ich soll früh ins Bett gehen.</td>
    <td>[ɪç zɔl fʁyː ɪns bɛt ˈɡeː.ən]</td>
    <td>I should go to bed early.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Du sollst mehr Gemüse essen.</td>
    <td>[du zɔlst meːɐ̯ ɡəˈmyː.zə ˈɛs.ən]</td>
    <td>You should eat more vegetables.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Er soll pünktlich sein.</td>
    <td>[eːɐ̯ zɔl ˈpʏŋkt.lɪç zaɪn]</td>
    <td>He ought to be punctual.</td>
  </tr>
</table>


<h2>"Dürfen": To Be Allowed to / May</h2>
* Ich darf spielen. (I'm allowed to play.)
* Du darfst essen. (You may eat.)
* Wir dürfen trinken. (We are allowed to drink.)
* Sie dürfen nicht rauchen. (They are not allowed to smoke.)


<p>"Dürfen" is used to express permission or allowance. It is the equivalent of "be allowed to" or "may" in English. Here are some examples:</p>
Remember to conjugate the modal verb according to the subject of the sentence. The infinitive verb that follows the modal verb remains in its base form.


<table class="wikitable">
== Talking About Obligations in Different Situations ==
  <tr>
    <th>German</th>
    <th>Pronunciation</th>
    <th>English</th>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Ich darf heute früher nach Hause gehen.</td>
    <td>[ɪç dɑrf ˈhɔy̯.tə ˈfʁyː.ɐ næç haʊ̯s ˈɡeː.ən]</td>
    <td>I'm allowed to go home earlier today.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Du darfst hier nicht rauchen.</td>
    <td>[du dɑʁfst hiːɐ̯ nɪçt ˈʁaʊ̯.çən]</td>
    <td>You may not smoke here.</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>Er darf das Auto nicht fahren.</td>
    <td>[eːɐ̯ dɑʁf das ˈʔaʊ̯.toː nɪçt ˈfaː.ʁən]</td>
    <td>He is not allowed to drive the car.</td>
  </tr>
</table>


<h2>Other Modal Verbs</h2>
Now that we know how to use modal verbs to talk about obligations, let's explore different situations where these expressions are commonly used.


<p>There are other modal verbs in German that are used to express different degrees of obligation, such as "wollen" (to want to), "können" (to be able to) and "mögen" (to like to).</p>
=== School and Education ===


<p>"Wollen" can express a strong desire or intention that can also involve obligation. For example, "Ich will Deutsch lernen" (I want to learn German) can imply that it is my obligation or responsibility to do so.</p>
When it comes to school and education, talking about obligations is quite common. Here are some examples:


<p>"Können" is used to express ability or possibility, but can also imply obligation in some contexts. For example, "Ich kann morgen nicht kommen" (I can't come tomorrow) can imply that it is my obligation to be somewhere else.</p>
* Ich muss meine Hausaufgaben machen. (I have to do my homework.)
* Du musst zur Schule gehen. (You have to go to school.)
* Wir müssen lernen für die Prüfung. (We have to study for the exam.)
* Sie müssen ihre Bücher mitbringen. (They have to bring their books.)


<p>"Mögen" expresses preference or liking, but can also be used as a polite way of making requests or giving commands. For example, "Möchtest du bitte das Fenster schließen?" (Would you please close the window?) is a polite way of asking someone to close the window, but it can also imply a sense of obligation or duty.</p>
=== Work and Professions ===


<h2>Conclusion</h2>
In the workplace, obligations and responsibilities are an important part of daily life. Here are some examples:


<p>Modal verbs are essential for expressing obligations and responsibilities in German. Knowing how to use them correctly will help you communicate more effectively and appropriately in different situations. So, practice using them in context and you will soon become more confident and fluent in German!</p>
* Ich muss pünktlich zur Arbeit kommen. (I have to come to work on time.)
* Du musst den Bericht fertigstellen. (You have to finish the report.)
* Wir müssen uns an den Dresscode halten. (We have to adhere to the dress code.)
* Sie müssen Kunden betreuen. (They have to take care of customers.)


<h2>Exercises</h2>
=== Household Chores ===


<p>Practice what you've learned with these exercises:</p>
Talking about obligations at home is also common, especially when it comes to household chores. Here are some examples:


<ol>
* Ich muss den Müll rausbringen. (I have to take out the trash.)
  <li>Translate the following sentences into German:</li>
* Du musst das Geschirr abwaschen. (You have to wash the dishes.)
  <ol>
* Wir müssen staubsaugen. (We have to vacuum.)
    <li>I have to study for my exam.</li>
* Sie müssen die Wäsche bügeln. (They have to iron the laundry.)
    <li>You should call your mother.</li>
    <li>He is not allowed to drink alcohol.</li>
  </ol>
  <li>Complete the sentences with the correct modal verb:</li>
  <ol>
    <li>Ich _______ morgen früh aufstehen. (müssen / sollen / dürfen)</li>
    <li>Du _______ mir später helfen. (müssen / sollen / dürfen)</li>
    <li>Er _______ heute leider arbeiten. (müssen / sollen / dürfen)</li>
  </ol>
  <li>Write three sentences using different modal verbs to express obligation or responsibility.</li>
</ol>


<h2>Sources</h2>
=== Social Etiquette ===


<ul>
In social situations, there are often expectations and obligations that need to be fulfilled. Here are some examples:
  <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_modal_particles" title="German modal particles">German modal particles</a></li>
 
  <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/German_modal_verb" title="German modal verb">German modal verb</a></li>
* Du solltest höflich sein. (You should be polite.)
</ul>
* Wir sollten uns bedanken. (We should thank each other.)
* Sie sollten pünktlich erscheinen. (They should arrive on time.)
 
== Conclusion ==
 
In this lesson, we have learned how to talk about obligations and responsibilities using modal verbs in German. We explored the modal verbs "müssen" (to have to, must), "sollen" (to should, ought to), and "dürfen" (to be allowed to, may), and discussed their specific meanings and usage. We also learned how to form sentences with modal verbs and practiced using them in different situations. Congratulations on completing this lesson! Keep practicing and soon you will be able to express obligations and responsibilities with ease in German. Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)


{{#seo:
{{#seo:
|title=German Grammar: Modal Verbs for Talking About Obligations | A1 German Course
|title=German Grammar → Modal Verbs → Talking About Obligations
|keywords=German grammar, modal verbs, talking about obligations, German lessons, complete German course, A1 German
|keywords=German grammar, modal verbs, obligations, responsibilities, German language, German course
|description=In this lesson of our A1 German course, you will learn how to talk about obligations and responsibilities using modal verbs.
|description=In this lesson, you will learn how to talk about obligations and responsibilities using modal verbs in German. We will explore the meanings and usage of modal verbs for expressing obligations, understand how to form sentences, and practice using them in different situations.
}}
}}


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[[Category:German-0-to-A1-Course]]
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==Sources==
* [https://polyglotclub.com/wiki/Language/German/Grammar/Talking-About-Obligations German Grammar: Modal Verbs for Talking About Obligations]
* [https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english-german/obligation German Translation of “obligation” | Collins English-German Dictionary]




==Related Lessons==
==Other Lessons==
* [[Language/German/Grammar/Two-Way-Prepositions|Two Way Prepositions]]
* [[Language/German/Grammar/Two-Way-Prepositions|Two Way Prepositions]]
* [[Language/German/Grammar/Inflections-of-adjectives|Inflections of adjectives]]
* [[Language/German/Grammar/Inflections-of-adjectives|Inflections of adjectives]]
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* [[Language/German/Grammar/How-to-Use-be|How to Use be]]
* [[Language/German/Grammar/How-to-Use-be|How to Use be]]
* [[Language/German/Grammar/Prepositions|Prepositions]]
* [[Language/German/Grammar/Prepositions|Prepositions]]


{{German-Page-Bottom}}
{{German-Page-Bottom}}
<span pgnav>
{| class="wikitable pg_template_nav"
|[[Language/German/Grammar/Expressing-Abilities|◀️ Expressing Abilities — Previous Lesson]]
|[[Language/German/Vocabulary/Shopping-for-Clothes|Next Lesson — Shopping for Clothes ▶️]]
|}
</span>

Latest revision as of 08:19, 17 June 2023

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German → Grammar → 0 to A1 Course → Modal Verbs → Talking About Obligations

Introduction[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we will learn how to talk about obligations and responsibilities using modal verbs in German. Modal verbs are an important part of German grammar and are used to express various meanings such as ability, possibility, necessity, and obligation. Talking about obligations is essential in daily life, as it allows us to communicate our duties and responsibilities. By the end of this lesson, you will be able to use modal verbs to express obligations and understand how to form sentences in German. Let's get started!

Modal Verbs for Expressing Obligations[edit | edit source]

In German, there are three main modal verbs that are commonly used to express obligations. These modal verbs are:

  • "müssen" - to have to, must
  • "sollen" - to should, ought to
  • "dürfen" - to be allowed to, may

Each of these modal verbs has its own specific meaning and usage when it comes to obligations. Let's take a closer look at each one.

"Müssen" - to have to, must[edit | edit source]

The modal verb "müssen" is used to express a strong obligation or necessity. It indicates that someone is required to do something or that something is unavoidable. Here are some examples:

German Pronunciation English
Ich muss zur Arbeit gehen. [ɪç mʊs t͡suːɐ̯ aʁˈbaɪ̯t ˈɡeːən] I have to go to work.
Du musst dein Zimmer aufräumen. [du mʊst daɪ̯n ˈtsɪmɐ ˈaʊ̯fˌʁɔɪ̯mən] You have to clean up your room.
Wir müssen pünktlich sein. [vɪɐ̯ ˈmʏsn̩ ˈpʏŋktlɪç zaɪ̯n] We have to be on time.
Sie müssen Deutsch lernen. [ziː ˈmʏsn̩ ˈdɔʏ̯t͡ʃ ˈleːʁnən] They have to learn German.

"Sollen" - to should, ought to[edit | edit source]

The modal verb "sollen" is used to express a recommendation or advice. It indicates that someone is expected or supposed to do something. Here are some examples:

German Pronunciation English
Du solltest mehr Sport treiben. [du ˈzɔlˌstɛst meːɐ ʃpɔʁt ˈtʁaɪ̯bən] You should do more sports.
Wir sollten rechtzeitig losgehen. [vɪɐ̯ ˈzɔltn̩ ˈʁaɪ̯çtɪç loːsˈɡeːən] We should leave on time.
Sie sollten öfter Gemüse essen. [ziː ˈzɔltn̩ ˈœftɐ ɡəˈmyːzə ˈɛsn̩] They should eat more vegetables.

"Dürfen" - to be allowed to, may[edit | edit source]

The modal verb "dürfen" is used to express permission or the lack of permission. It indicates that someone is allowed or not allowed to do something. Here are some examples:

German Pronunciation English
Ich darf nicht fernsehen. [ɪç dɑʁf nɪçt ˈfɛʁnˌzeːən] I'm not allowed to watch TV.
Du darfst das Buch behalten. [du ˈdaʁfst das buːx bəˈhaːltən] You may keep the book.
Wir dürfen hier nicht rauchen. [vɪɐ̯ ˈdʏʁfn̩ hiːɐ̯ nɪçt ˈʁaʊ̯çən] We are not allowed to smoke here.
Sie dürfen den Raum betreten. [ziː ˈdʏʁfn̩ deːn ˈʁaʊ̯m bəˈtʁeːtn̩] They may enter the room.

Forming Sentences with Modal Verbs[edit | edit source]

To form sentences with modal verbs, we need to understand the basic sentence structure in German. The basic word order in a German sentence is as follows:

Subject + Modal Verb + Infinitive Verb + Rest of the Sentence

Here are some examples using the modal verb "müssen":

  • Ich muss gehen. (I have to go.)
  • Du musst lernen. (You have to learn.)
  • Wir müssen arbeiten. (We have to work.)
  • Sie müssen Deutsch sprechen. (They have to speak German.)

And here are some examples using the modal verb "sollen":

  • Du solltest kommen. (You should come.)
  • Wir sollten helfen. (We should help.)
  • Sie sollten pünktlich sein. (They should be on time.)

Lastly, here are some examples using the modal verb "dürfen":

  • Ich darf spielen. (I'm allowed to play.)
  • Du darfst essen. (You may eat.)
  • Wir dürfen trinken. (We are allowed to drink.)
  • Sie dürfen nicht rauchen. (They are not allowed to smoke.)

Remember to conjugate the modal verb according to the subject of the sentence. The infinitive verb that follows the modal verb remains in its base form.

Talking About Obligations in Different Situations[edit | edit source]

Now that we know how to use modal verbs to talk about obligations, let's explore different situations where these expressions are commonly used.

School and Education[edit | edit source]

When it comes to school and education, talking about obligations is quite common. Here are some examples:

  • Ich muss meine Hausaufgaben machen. (I have to do my homework.)
  • Du musst zur Schule gehen. (You have to go to school.)
  • Wir müssen lernen für die Prüfung. (We have to study for the exam.)
  • Sie müssen ihre Bücher mitbringen. (They have to bring their books.)

Work and Professions[edit | edit source]

In the workplace, obligations and responsibilities are an important part of daily life. Here are some examples:

  • Ich muss pünktlich zur Arbeit kommen. (I have to come to work on time.)
  • Du musst den Bericht fertigstellen. (You have to finish the report.)
  • Wir müssen uns an den Dresscode halten. (We have to adhere to the dress code.)
  • Sie müssen Kunden betreuen. (They have to take care of customers.)

Household Chores[edit | edit source]

Talking about obligations at home is also common, especially when it comes to household chores. Here are some examples:

  • Ich muss den Müll rausbringen. (I have to take out the trash.)
  • Du musst das Geschirr abwaschen. (You have to wash the dishes.)
  • Wir müssen staubsaugen. (We have to vacuum.)
  • Sie müssen die Wäsche bügeln. (They have to iron the laundry.)

Social Etiquette[edit | edit source]

In social situations, there are often expectations and obligations that need to be fulfilled. Here are some examples:

  • Du solltest höflich sein. (You should be polite.)
  • Wir sollten uns bedanken. (We should thank each other.)
  • Sie sollten pünktlich erscheinen. (They should arrive on time.)

Conclusion[edit | edit source]

In this lesson, we have learned how to talk about obligations and responsibilities using modal verbs in German. We explored the modal verbs "müssen" (to have to, must), "sollen" (to should, ought to), and "dürfen" (to be allowed to, may), and discussed their specific meanings and usage. We also learned how to form sentences with modal verbs and practiced using them in different situations. Congratulations on completing this lesson! Keep practicing and soon you will be able to express obligations and responsibilities with ease in German. Viel Erfolg! (Good luck!)

Table of Contents - German Course - 0 to A1[edit source]


Basic Sentence Structures


Greetings and Introduction


Definite and Indefinite Articles


Numbers, Dates and Time


Verbs and Conjugation


Family and Friends


Prepositions


Food and Drinks


Germany and German-Speaking Countries


Pronouns and Possessives


Travel and Transportation


Modal Verbs


Shopping and Clothes


Music and Entertainment


Adjectives


Health and Body


Time and Temporal Prepositions


Sources[edit | edit source]


Other Lessons[edit | edit source]



◀️ Expressing Abilities — Previous Lesson Next Lesson — Shopping for Clothes ▶️

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