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Modal verbs (moeten, kunnen, mogen)

Modal verbs such as moeten, kunnen, and mogen indicate obligations, possibilities, and permissions.

Grammatica: Modale werkwoorden (moeten, kunnen, mogen)

A1 Dutch Modal verbs

Level: A1

Module 3: Dag tot dag (Day to day)

Lesson 17: Koken (Cooking)

Teaching guidelines +/- 15 minutes

Audio and video

Audio with translations
Audio with translations

  1. Moeten indicates obligations, as in 'Je moet op tijd komen'.
  2. Kunnen is used for possibilities or abilities, such as 'Ik kan koken'.
  3. Mogen gives permission or prohibition, such as 'Je mag hier niet roken'.
Persoon (Person)Moeten (Must)Kunnen (Can)Mogen (May)
Ikmoet (must)kan (can)mag (may)
Jijmoet (must)kan (can)mag (may)
Hij/Zij/Hetmoet (must)kan (can)mag (may)
Wijmoeten (must)kunnen (can)mogen (may)
Julliemoeten (must)kunnen (can)mogen (may)
Zijmoeten (must)kunnen (can)mogen (may)

Exercise 1: Modale werkwoorden (moeten, kunnen, mogen)

Instruction: Fill in the correct word.

Show translation Show answers

mogen, kan, moet, mag

1.
Je ... op tijd op school zijn.
(You have to be on time for school.)
2.
Jullie ... niet vergeten de olie toe te voegen.
(You must not forget to add the oil.)
3.
Ik ... goed dansen.
(I can dance well.)
4.
Hij ... vandaag niet naar de les komen.
(He cannot come to class today.)
5.
Hij ... elke dag om 7 uur opstaan.
(He must get up at 7 o'clock every day.)
6.
Je ... de boter smelten voor het recept.
(You need to melt the butter for the recipe.)
7.
Je ... niet roken in het restaurant.
(You are not allowed to smoke in the restaurant.)

Exercise 2: Translate and use in a sentence

Instruction: Pick a word, translated and use the word in a sentence or dialogue.

1

moet

have to

2

mogen

must

3

mag

are allowed to

4

kan

can