A2 Portuguese GrammarModal Verbs
Master Portuguese modal verbs to express ability, permission, obligation, and desire. Learn poder (can/may), dever (must/should), querer (want), saber (know how to), precisar de (need to), and ter de/que (have to). These verbs are followed by infinitives and are essential for everyday communication.
1Poder (Can/May) - Ability and Permission
Poder expresses ability (can/be able to) or permission (may). It's an irregular verb with stem changes in the present tense. Poder is followed directly by an infinitive without any preposition. The context determines whether it means physical ability, permission, or possibility.
Present Tense of Poder
| Person | Poder | Example |
|---|---|---|
| eu | posso | Posso ajudar. |
| tu | podes | Podes entrar. |
| você/ele/ela | pode | Pode sair. |
| nós | podemos | Podemos ir. |
| vocês/eles/elas | podem | Podem ficar. |
Examples
Posso falar português.
I can speak Portuguese.
poder + infinitive = ability
Podes abrir a janela?
Can you open the window?
poder in question = request
Não podemos estacionar aqui.
We can't park here.
não poder = prohibition/impossibility
Pode chover amanhã.
It may rain tomorrow.
poder = possibility
2Dever (Must/Should) - Obligation and Advice
Dever expresses obligation (must), advice (should), or probability (must be). It's a regular -er verb. Strong obligation uses dever; softer advice can use dever in conditional (deveria). When expressing probability, dever suggests something is likely true. Dever is followed directly by an infinitive.
Present Tense of Dever
| Person | Dever | Example |
|---|---|---|
| eu | devo | Devo estudar. |
| tu | deves | Deves ir. |
| você/ele/ela | deve | Deve chegar. |
| nós | devemos | Devemos pagar. |
| vocês/eles/elas | devem | Devem saber. |
Examples
Deves estudar mais.
You should study more.
dever = advice/recommendation
Devemos respeitar as regras.
We must respect the rules.
dever = obligation
Ela deve estar em casa.
She must be at home.
dever = probability
Não devias fazer isso.
You shouldn't do that.
imperfect dever = softer advice
3Ter de/que and Precisar de (Have to/Need to)
Ter de (or ter que) expresses strong necessity or obligation - something you have to do. Precisar de expresses need - something you need to do. Both are followed by infinitive. Ter de/que is more emphatic than dever, indicating no choice. Precisar de shows necessity rather than obligation.
Ter de/que vs Precisar de
| Verb | Meaning | Strength | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| ter de | have to | strong obligation | Tenho de ir. |
| ter que | have to | strong obligation | Tenho que sair. |
| precisar de | need to | necessity | Preciso de dormir. |
| não ter de | don't have to | no obligation | Não tens de vir. |
Examples
Tenho de acordar cedo amanhã.
I have to wake up early tomorrow.
ter de + infinitive = must/have to
Temos que terminar este trabalho.
We have to finish this work.
ter que = variant of ter de
Preciso de comprar pão.
I need to buy bread.
precisar de + infinitive = need to
Não precisas de te preocupar.
You don't need to worry.
não precisar de = no need
4Querer and Saber (Want and Know How)
Querer (want) expresses desire or intention. It's irregular with stem change e→ei in some forms. Saber (know) expresses knowledge or ability to do something learned. While poder means physical ability, saber means knowing how to do something through learning. Both are followed directly by infinitive.
Present Tense Comparison
| Person | Querer (want) | Saber (know how) |
|---|---|---|
| eu | quero | sei |
| tu | queres | sabes |
| você/ele/ela | quer | sabe |
| nós | queremos | sabemos |
| vocês/eles/elas | querem | sabem |
Examples
Quero aprender português.
I want to learn Portuguese.
querer + infinitive = want to
Sei nadar muito bem.
I know how to swim very well.
saber = learned ability
Não queres vir connosco?
Don't you want to come with us?
querer in question = invitation
Ela sabe cozinhar pratos franceses.
She knows how to cook French dishes.
saber = skill/knowledge