A2 Dutch GrammarModal Verbs
Master Dutch modal verbs kunnen, moeten, mogen, willen and their meanings for ability, necessity, and permission.
Practice in interactive stories
With instant translation and audio
1Kunnen (Can/Be Able To)
'Kunnen' expresses ability or possibility. Same form for singular subjects.
Kunnen Conjugation
| Subject | Present | Past |
|---|---|---|
| ik | kan | kon |
| jij/je | kan/kunt | kon |
| hij/zij | kan | kon |
| wij/jullie/zij | kunnen | konden |
Examples
Ik kan zwemmen.
I can swim.
ability
Kun je me helpen?
Can you help me?
request
Het kan morgen regenen.
It might rain tomorrow.
possibility
Zij kon niet komen.
She couldn't come.
past: kon
2Moeten (Must/Have To)
'Moeten' expresses obligation or necessity.
Moeten Conjugation
| Subject | Present | Past |
|---|---|---|
| ik | moet | moest |
| jij/je | moet | moest |
| hij/zij | moet | moest |
| wij/jullie/zij | moeten | moesten |
Examples
Ik moet morgen werken.
I have to work tomorrow.
obligation
Je moet je huiswerk maken.
You must do your homework.
necessity
Wij moesten vroeg opstaan.
We had to get up early.
past: moest
Moet ik dit doen?
Do I have to do this?
question
3Mogen (May/Be Allowed To)
'Mogen' expresses permission. 'Mag niet' means prohibition.
Mogen Conjugation
| Subject | Present | Past |
|---|---|---|
| ik | mag | mocht |
| jij/je | mag | mocht |
| hij/zij | mag | mocht |
| wij/jullie/zij | mogen | mochten |
Examples
Mag ik even naar buiten?
May I go outside for a moment?
asking permission
Je mag hier niet roken.
You may not smoke here.
prohibition
De kinderen mogen tv kijken.
The children are allowed to watch TV.
permission
Wij mochten langer blijven.
We were allowed to stay longer.
past: mocht
4Willen (Want To)
'Willen' expresses wishes and intentions. 'Wil' for singular, 'willen' for plural.
Willen Conjugation
| Subject | Present | Past |
|---|---|---|
| ik | wil | wilde/wou |
| jij/je | wil/wilt | wilde/wou |
| hij/zij | wil | wilde/wou |
| wij/jullie/zij | willen | wilden/wouden |
Examples
Ik wil koffie, alsjeblieft.
I would like coffee, please.
polite request
Wil je met mij trouwen?
Will you marry me?
proposal
Hij wilde niet luisteren.
He didn't want to listen.
past: wilde
Wij willen naar Italië gaan.
We want to go to Italy.
plural
Practice Exercises
4 exercises
Complete: 'Ik ___ goed zwemmen.' (I can swim well.)
Complete: 'Je ___ je huiswerk maken.' (You must do your homework.)
Complete: '___ ik hier roken?' (May I smoke here?)
Complete: 'Wij ___ naar Italië gaan.' (We want to go to Italy.)
See Real Examples in Stories
Now that you've practiced, see this grammar in context
Practice with A2 Stories
Apply what you learned in interactive stories with instant translations.
Browse A2 Stories