A2 Danish GrammarModal Verbs
Master Danish modal verbs like kan, skal, vil, må and their meanings for ability, necessity, and permission.
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1Kan (Can/Be Able To)
'Kan' expresses ability or possibility. It doesn't change with subject.
Kan Conjugation
| Danish | English |
|---|---|
| Jeg kan | I can |
| Du kan | You can |
| Han/hun kan | He/she can |
| Vi kan | We can |
| De kan | They can |
Examples
Jeg kan svømme.
I can swim.
ability
Kan du hjælpe mig?
Can you help me?
request
Det kan være sandt.
It can be true.
possibility
Hun kan ikke komme i dag.
She cannot come today.
negation with ikke
2Skal (Must/Shall/Will)
'Skal' expresses obligation, plans, or future actions.
Skal Uses
| Meaning | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Obligation | Du skal gøre det | You must do it |
| Plan | Jeg skal rejse | I'm going to travel |
| Future | Det skal nok gå | It will be fine |
Examples
Jeg skal til lægen i morgen.
I have to go to the doctor tomorrow.
obligation/appointment
Vi skal spise nu.
We are going to eat now.
planned action
Du skal ikke bekymre dig.
You shouldn't worry.
skal ikke = shouldn't
Hvad skal du i weekenden?
What are you doing this weekend?
asking about plans
3Vil (Want/Will)
'Vil' expresses wishes, intentions, or polite requests.
Vil Uses
| Meaning | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Want | Jeg vil have kaffe | I want coffee |
| Intention | Han vil rejse | He wants to travel |
| Polite | Vil du...? | Would you...? |
Examples
Jeg vil gerne have en øl.
I would like a beer.
vil gerne = would like
Vil du med i biografen?
Do you want to come to the cinema?
invitation
Hun vil ikke tale om det.
She doesn't want to talk about it.
refusal
Det vil jeg gerne.
I would like that.
acceptance
4Må (May/Must)
'Må' expresses permission or necessity. 'Må ikke' means 'must not'.
Må Uses
| Meaning | Example | English |
|---|---|---|
| Permission | Du må gerne gå | You may go |
| Necessity | Jeg må arbejde | I have to work |
| Prohibition | Du må ikke ryge | You must not smoke |
Examples
Må jeg låne din telefon?
May I borrow your phone?
asking permission
Du må ikke parkere her.
You must not park here.
prohibition
Jeg må desværre gå nu.
Unfortunately, I have to go now.
necessity
Man må ikke ryge indendørs.
One must not smoke indoors.
general prohibition
Practice Exercises
4 exercises
Complete: 'Jeg ___ svømme.' (I can swim.)
Complete: 'Vi ___ spise nu.' (We are going to eat now.)
Complete: 'Jeg ___ gerne have en kaffe.' (I would like a coffee.)
Complete: 'Hun ___ ikke tro det.' (She could not believe it.) - past tense
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