Chapter in 30 Seconds
Master the art of expressing wishes, rules, and advice using German modal verbs.
- Construct sentences using modal verbs without the particle 'zu'.
- Express personal desires and plans using 'wollen'.
- Navigate permissions and advice using 'dürfen' and 'sollen'.
Speak with purpose: express wishes, rules, and advice.
배울 내용
Hey, ready to unlock some super useful German? You already know the basics, and now we're going to take your speaking skills up a notch! In this chapter, 'Rules, Wishes, and Advice,' you'll dive into the world of German modal verbs. Specifically, you'll master how to use *wollen*, *dürfen*, and *sollen* like a native speaker. Ever wanted to say
I really want to visit the Brandenburg Gate!or
Can I sit here?or
You should definitely try this currywurst!? This chapter is your key! We'll show you the magic trick of dropping 'zu' after these modal verbs and how they always send the main action verb to the very end of the sentence – it's a pattern you'll quickly get the hang of. You'll learn how *wollen* helps you express your firmest plans and desires, even noticing its cool little vowel change in the singular form. Then, *dürfen* will empower you to talk about permissions and what's allowed (or strictly *nicht dürfen*, what's forbidden!), which is super handy when you're navigating new places or asking for something politely. Finally, *sollen* will become your go-to for giving friendly advice, recommendations, or gently relaying instructions from others without sounding bossy. By the end of this chapter, you'll be able to articulate your wishes, understand rules, and offer advice confidently, making your German conversations much more dynamic and natural!
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화법 조동사 뒤에 'zu' 생략 (können, wollen, müssen)조동사를 쓸 땐
zu를 빼고, 핵심 동사는 문장 끝에 «벌거벗은» 채로 앉아있죠! 마치 «맨몸 동사»처럼요. -
의지와 계획: 조동사 'wollen' (~하고 싶다/하려고 하다)
wollen은 확실한 계획이나 강한 의지를 말할 때 쓰는 마법의 단어예요. 그리고 혼자 있을 때 'o'가 'i'로 바뀌는 것도 꼭 기억하세요! -
화법 조동사 dürfen: 허가와 규칙 (dürfen)허락을 구할 땐
dürfen, '절대 안 돼!' 할 땐nicht dürfen을 쓰고요, 핵심 동사는 항상 문장 맨 뒤로 보내는 거 잊지 마세요! -
조언하기와 명령 전달 (sollen)누군가의 기대나 추천, 혹은 명령을 너무 강압적이지 않게 표현하고 싶을 때
sollen을 사용해 보세요!
Learning Objectives
By the end of this chapter, you will be able to:
-
1
By the end you will be able to: Use modal verbs to correctly place the infinitive verb at the end of a sentence.
챕터 가이드
Overview
Hey there, amazing A2 German learner! Ready to supercharge your conversational skills? You've already built a solid foundation, and now it's time to unlock some truly powerful ways to express yourself in German.
This chapter,
Rules, Wishes, and Advice,is your key to doing just that. We're diving deep into some incredibly useful German grammar A2 topics, focusing on three essential modal verbs: wollen, dürfen, and sollen.
These verbs are absolute game-changers because they let you talk about what you *want* to do, what you *are allowed* to do, and what you *should* do. Imagine being able to confidently say,
I want to visit the Brandenburg Gate!or politely ask,
May I sit here?or even offer a friendly recommendation like,
You should definitely try this Currywurst!By mastering these verbs, your German will sound much more natural and dynamic, moving you closer to fluent communication. Understanding these common structures is a crucial step in your German language learning journey, making everyday interactions smoother and more effective.
You'll quickly get the hang of how these modal verbs work their magic on sentence structure, sending the main action verb to the very end. This pattern is a fundamental aspect of German sentence structure that you'll encounter again and again. So, let's get started and make your German more expressive and precise!
How This Grammar Works
At the heart of this chapter are three important modal verbs: wollen, dürfen, and sollen. Modal verbs in German are special because they always work with another verb, which expresses the main action. The coolest trick they perform is sending that main action verb (in its infinitive form) all the way to the end of the sentence.
Plus, there's a golden rule: you *never* use zu before the infinitive verb when a modal verb is present! This applies to all modal verbs, including können (to be able to), müssen (to have to), and mögen (to like), which you might have already encountered.
No 'zu' After Modal Verbs
This is a straightforward rule: when you use a modal verb, you simply drop zu before the second verb.
* ✗ Ich will zu essen. (I want to eat.)
* ✓ Ich will essen. (I want to eat.)
* ✗ Du sollst zu lernen. (You should learn.)
* ✓ Du sollst lernen. (You should learn.)
Wanting and Planning: The Verb 'wollen'
Wollen expresses a strong desire or a firm intention – what you *really* want to do. It's more direct than möchten (would like to). Pay attention to its singular conjugations, which have a vowel change:
* Ich will (I want)
* Du willst (You want)
* Er/Sie/Es will (He/She/It wants)
* Wir wollen (We want)
* Ihr wollt (You all want)
* Sie/sie wollen (They/You (formal) want)
* Example: Ich will nach Berlin fahren. (I want to drive to Berlin.)
* Example: Was wollt ihr heute Abend machen? (What do you all want to do tonight?)
The Modal Verb dürfen: Permissions & Rules
Dürfen is all about permission and what is allowed or forbidden. It’s perfect for asking politely or stating rules.
* Ich darf (I am allowed to)
* Du darfst (You are allowed to)
* Er/Sie/Es darf (He/She/It is allowed to)
* Wir dürfen (We are allowed to)
* Ihr dürft (You all are allowed to)
* Sie/sie dürfen (They/You (formal) are allowed to)
* Example: Darf ich hier sitzen? (May I sit here?)
* Example: Hier darf man nicht rauchen. (One is not allowed to smoke here.)
Giving Advice and Following Orders (sollen)
Sollen is used for giving advice, making recommendations, or relaying instructions or obligations from someone else (without necessarily being a strict command). It's softer than müssen (to have to).
* Ich soll (I should/am supposed to)
* Du sollst (You should/are supposed to)
* Er/Sie/Es soll (He/She/It should/is supposed to)
* Wir sollen (We should/are supposed to)
* Ihr sollt (You all should/are supposed to)
* Sie/sie sollen (They/You (formal) should/are supposed to)
* Example: Du sollst mehr Wasser trinken. (You should drink more water.)
* Example: Meine Mutter sagt, ich soll meine Hausaufgaben machen. (My mother says I should do my homework.)
Common Mistakes
- 1✗ Ich will zu gehen.
✓ Ich will gehen. (I want to go.)
*Explanation:* Remember, modal verbs like wollen, dürfen, and sollen are special – they *never* take zu before the infinitive verb that follows them.
- 1✗ Du sollst das Buch lesen.
✓ Du sollst das Buch lesen. (You should read the book.)
*Explanation:* While the example sentence is grammatically correct as is, a common mistake is placing the main verb *before* the end of the sentence when there are other elements. For example:
✗ Ich will nach Hause gehen. (I want to go home.) - This is correct.
✗ Ich will gehen nach Hause. - This is incorrect.
✓ Ich will nach Hause gehen. (I want to go home.)
*Explanation:* The main verb (gehen) always goes to the very end of the sentence when used with a modal verb like wollen.
- 1✗ Er wolle in den Park gehen.
✓ Er will in den Park gehen. (He wants to go to the park.)
*Explanation:* Be careful with the irregular conjugations of wollen in the singular forms: ich will, du willst, er/sie/es will. The vowel changes from 'o' to 'i'.
Real Conversations
A
A
Was willst du am Wochenende machen? (What do you want to do on the weekend?)
B
B
Ich will meine Freunde treffen und ins Kino gehen. (I want to meet my friends and go to the cinema.)
A
A
Entschuldigen Sie, darf ich hier kurz mein Gepäck abstellen? (Excuse me, may I briefly put my luggage here?)
B
B
Ja, das dürfen Sie gern machen. (Yes, you may certainly do that.)
A
A
Ich habe Kopfschmerzen. (I have a headache.)
B
B
Du sollst einen Tee trinken und dich ausruhen. (You should drink a tea and rest.)
Quick FAQ
Q
How do German modal verbs affect sentence structure?
Modal verbs send the main action verb (in its infinitive form) to the very end of the sentence.
Q
What's the main difference between wollen and möchten for A2 German learners?
Wollen expresses a strong desire or firm intention (I want to), while möchten is a more polite and softer expression of desire (
I would like to).
Q
Can dürfen be used for asking permission politely in German?
Yes, absolutely! Using dürfen is the standard and most polite way to ask for permission in German.
Q
When should I use sollen instead of müssen in German grammar?
Sollen is for advice, recommendations, or relaying someone else's request/instruction (you *should* do it). Müssen expresses a stronger, undeniable obligation or necessity (you *must* do it).
Cultural Context
In German-speaking cultures, these modal verbs are used constantly in daily life. Wollen is direct and expresses clear intent. While directness is common, dürfen provides a polite way to navigate social rules and ask for favors, which is appreciated.
Sollen is excellent for offering friendly advice without sounding demanding, which aligns with a general preference for clear, but not overly aggressive, communication.
주요 예문 (8)
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팁과 요령 (4)
⚠️
영어의 함정
영어의 'to' (want to, have to) 때문에 'zu'를 넣고 싶어질 수 있는데, 독일어 조동사는
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 화법 조동사 뒤에 'zu' 생략 (können, wollen, müssen)
zu 없이 깔끔해요. Ich will kochen.처럼요.
⚠️
조심! 'wollen'이 무례하게 들릴 수 있어요
식당에서 주문할 때
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 의지와 계획: 조동사 'wollen' (~하고 싶다/하려고 하다)
wollen을 쓰면 명령처럼 들려서 직원분이 놀랄 수 있어요. möchten을 쓰면 훨씬 부드럽고 좋아요! 예를 들어, Ich möchte einen Kaffee.처럼요.
Ich will einen Kaffee.라고 하면 '커피 내놔!' 같거든요.
🎯
허락 테스트
이거 써도 될까? 허락일까, 능력일까? 누군가 허락해줘야 하는 상황이거나 규칙이 있다면, 'dürfen'을 사용하세요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 화법 조동사 dürfen: 허가와 규칙 (dürfen)
If there is a rule or a person giving me permission? If yes, use dürfen.
⚠️
유령 같은 't' 조심!
'er/sie/es soll' 뒤에 '-t'를 붙이면 안 돼요. A2 학습자들이 가장 많이 하는 실수예요. 언제나 'er soll'이에요. 예를 들어, 보스가 시킨 일을 말할 때:
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 조언하기와 명령 전달 (sollen)
Er soll das Video löschen.
핵심 어휘 (6)
wollen
to want
dürfen
to be allowed to
sollen
should/to be supposed to
die Regel (f)
the rule
der Ratschlag (m)
the piece of advice
besuchen
to visit
Real-World Preview
map-pin
At the Brandenburg Gate
Review Summary
- Subject + Modal + ... + Infinitive
- Ich will, du willst, er/sie/es will
- Ich darf, du darfst, er/sie/es darf
- Ich soll, du sollst, er/sie/es soll
자주 하는 실수
You added 'zu', but modal verbs act like magnets that pull the infinitive verb directly without 'zu'.
Wrong:
Ich will zu essen.
정답:
Ich will essen.
The main verb 'essen' must go to the very end of the sentence.
Wrong:
Ich will essen Pizza.
정답:
Ich will Pizza essen.
Check your conjugation! It is 'du sollst', not 'du sollt'.
Wrong:
Du sollt gehen.
정답:
Du sollst gehen.
이 챕터의 규칙 (4)
Next Steps
You have done an amazing job! Keep practicing these modals, and you will sound like a local in no time.
Write 5 sentences about your school or work rules.
빠른 연습 (10)
문장에서 틀린 부분을 찾으세요.
Find and fix the mistake:
Er sollt seine Hausaufgaben machen.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er soll seine Hausaufgaben machen.
3인칭 단수(er/sie/es)의 'sollen'은 'soll'입니다. '-t' 어미가 붙지 않아요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 조언하기와 명령 전달 (sollen)
'wollen'의 올바른 형태로 빈칸을 채워보세요.
Ich ____ am Wochenende nach Berlin fahren.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: will
'ich' 형태에서는 모음 'o'가 'i'로 바뀌고 어미가 붙지 않아요. 그래서 'will'이 정답입니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 의지와 계획: 조동사 'wollen' (~하고 싶다/하려고 하다)
이 문장에서 실수를 찾아 고치세요.
Find and fix the mistake:
Ich muss heute zu arbeiten.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Ich muss heute arbeiten.
'müssen'과 같은 조동사 뒤에는 본동사 앞에 'zu'를 절대로 쓰지 않아요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 화법 조동사 뒤에 'zu' 생략 (können, wollen, müssen)
문법적으로 올바른 문장을 고르세요.
동사의 올바른 순서를 고르세요.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Du sollst heute Deutsch lernen.
조동사 'sollst'는 두 번째 자리에 오고, 원형 동사 'lernen'은 문장 맨 끝으로 갑니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 조언하기와 명령 전달 (sollen)
문장에서 틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요.
Find and fix the mistake:
Er willt heute nicht arbeiten.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Er will heute nicht arbeiten.
'wollen'의 3인칭 단수 형태('er/sie/es')는 'will'입니다. 끝에 '-t'를 붙이지 않아요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 의지와 계획: 조동사 'wollen' (~하고 싶다/하려고 하다)
빈칸에 'sollen'의 올바른 형태를 채우세요.
Was ___ ich jetzt machen? (What should I do now?)
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: soll
'ich'에는 조동사 'sollen'이 'soll'이 됩니다. 어미가 없다는 것을 기억하세요!
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 조언하기와 명령 전달 (sollen)
빈칸을 채우세요
Ich ___ heute ins Kino gehen.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: darf
'Ich' (단수)는 'dürfen'의 모음이 'ü'에서 'a'로 변한 'darf'를 씁니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 화법 조동사 dürfen: 허가와 규칙 (dürfen)
틀린 부분을 찾아 고치세요
Find and fix the mistake:
오류: Du dürfst hier nicht parken.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Du darfst hier nicht parken.
주어 'Du'에 맞는 동사 변형은 'darfst'입니다.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 화법 조동사 dürfen: 허가와 규칙 (dürfen)
문법적으로 올바른 문장을 고르세요.
'Can you help me?'의 가장 좋은 번역을 고르세요.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: Kannst du mir helfen?
'zu'는 필요 없고, 본동사 'helfen'은 올바르게 끝에 위치해요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 화법 조동사 뒤에 'zu' 생략 (können, wollen, müssen)
빈칸에 올바른 형태를 채우세요.
Wir wollen morgen nach Berlin ___.
✓ Correct!
✗ Not quite. Correct answer: fahren
본동사는 'zu' 없이 동사 원형으로 문장 끝에 와요.
frontend.learn_grammar.from_rule: 화법 조동사 뒤에 'zu' 생략 (können, wollen, müssen)
Score: /10
자주 묻는 질문 (6)
그것은 언어가 발전해온 방식의 차이일 뿐이에요. 독일어 조동사는 '조동사 같은' 것으로 간주되며, 그 자체로 문법적인 역할을 하기 때문에 본동사는 기본 형태를 유지할 수 있어요.
기술적으로는 'mögen'의 접속법 형태이지만, A2 레벨에서는 실제적으로 조동사와 똑같이 행동하고 'zu'를 쓰지 않는 규칙을 따릅니다.
wollen은 '나 ~할 거야!' 처럼 강한 의지나 계획을 말할 때 써요. 'Ich will reisen.' (나 여행 갈 거야!) möchten은 '나 ~하고 싶어요'처럼 좀 더 공손하게 말할 때, 예를 들어 주문할 때 Ich möchte einen Kaffee.(커피 한 잔 주세요.) 처럼 써요.
독일어 모달 동사(법조동사)들의 특징 중 하나예요! 단수 형태에서 이렇게 모음이 변하는 경우가 많답니다. '단수일 땐 i, 복수일 땐 o'라고 생각하면 기억하기 쉬울 거예요.
Ich will gehen.처럼요.'dürfen'은 허락(~해도 될까요?), 'können'은 능력(~할 수 있나요?)을 나타내요. 예를 들어, 피아노 칠 능력이 있을 땐
Ich kann Klavier spielen이지만, 여기서 피아노를 쳐도 되는지 허락을 물을 땐
Ich darf hier Klavier spielen.이라고 해요.
네, 나(ich), 너(du), 그/그녀/그것(er/sie/es) 같은 단수형일 때는 항상 'ü'가 'a'로 바뀌어요. 하지만 우리(wir), 너희(ihr), 그들/당신(sie/Sie) 같은 복수형에서는 다시 'ü'로 돌아옵니다.
