These specific auxiliary verbs are used to express:
- Obligation: Deber (must) + infinitive
- Possibility: Poder (can) + infinitive
- Intention: Querer (want to) + infinitive
Take a look at these examples:
Debo estudiar para el examen.
I must study for the exam.
Podemos jugar al fútbol hoy.
We can play football today.
Quieren ir al cine el próximo sábado.
They want to go to the cinema next Saturday.
Note that to say must / can / want to in Spanish, you use:
Auxiliary verb (deber, poder, querer) + other verb in the infinitive
Learn more about these related Spanish grammar topics
Examples and resources
Debemos ir al supermercado.
We must go to the supermarket.
Quieren ir al cine el próximo sábado.
They want to go to the cinema next Saturday.
Podemos jugar al fútbol hoy.
We can play football today.
Mi madre debe pagar las facturas de la casa.
My mother must pay the household bills.
Debo estudiar para el examen.
I must study for the exam.
Quiero aprender a cocinar.
I want to learn how to cook.
Alexander
Kwiziq community member
27 September 2018
1 reply
May/might
Hola!
Which modal verb is used to express "may/might"?
Regards,
Alexander
Inma
Kwiziq language super star
28 September 2018
28/09/18
Hi Alexander,
may/might can be expressed in different ways in Spanish. Most of the time we don't actually use modals. Here are some examples:
"He may come tonight":
1. A lo mejor viene esta noche. 2. Quizás venga esta noche. 3. Puede que venga esta noche.
"I might marry him."
1. A lo mejor me caso con él. 2. Quizás me case con él. 3. Puede que me case con él.
We don't usually make a distinction between may and might.
Inma :))