📚 Free Dutch Lesson
Dutch Modal Verbs — Kunnen, Mogen, Moeten, Willen & Zullen
Master the 5 Dutch modal verbs with full conjugation tables, meaning, usage and real example sentences. Includes a 5-question practice quiz.
5 modal verbskunnen to zullen
Full conjugationall pronouns
Real examplesper verb
5-Q Quiztest yourself
What are modal verbs? Modal verbs express ability, permission, obligation, desire or possibility. They combine with an infinitive that goes to the end of the sentence.
The 5 Dutch Modal Verbs
| Dutch | English | Expresses |
|---|---|---|
| kunnen | can / to be able to | ability, possibility |
| mogen | may / to be allowed to | permission |
| moeten | must / to have to | necessity, obligation |
| willen | to want to | desire, wish |
| zullen | shall / will | future, suggestion |
Present Tense Conjugation
| Pronoun | kunnen | mogen | moeten | willen | zullen |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ik | kan | mag | moet | wil | zal |
| jij/je | kan/kunt | mag | moet | wil/wilt | zal/zult |
| hij/zij/het | kan | mag | moet | wil | zal |
| wij/jullie/zij | kunnen | mogen | moeten | willen | zullen |
💡 Notice: Modal verbs in Dutch have no -t in ik/jij/hij forms — unlike regular verbs. They are all irregular in the singular.
Usage with Examples
kunnen (can):
Ik kan Nederlands spreken.
I can speak Dutch.
Kan jij morgen komen?
Can you come tomorrow?
mogen (may):
Mag ik hier zitten?
May I sit here?
Je mag hier niet roken.
You are not allowed to smoke here.
moeten (must):
Ik moet morgen vroeg werken.
I have to work early tomorrow.
Je moet dat boek lezen!
You must read that book!
willen (want):
Ik wil koffie drinken.
I want to drink coffee.
Wil jij mee?
Do you want to come along?
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Quick quiz — Dutch Modal Verbs
Q1: What does 'kunnen' mean?
Q2: How do you say 'I must go' in Dutch?
Q3: 'Mogen' expresses…
Q4: Modal verbs in the singular (ik/hij) have…
Q5: 'Ik wil koffie ___.' Where does the infinitive go?
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