Spanish modal verbs

By Marta Díaz on Thursday, May 23, 2024

Do you know what are the modal verbs in Spanish? Surely you know that in English they include must, can, may and should, but do you know what their equivalents are in Spanish? If you are just starting to learn Spanish and need a boost with the verbs, Enforex helps you with this article about Spanish modal verbs.

What is the function of Spanish modal verbs?

Spanish modal verbs are followed by an infinitive and contribute meaning to the sentence, unlike auxiliary verbs. There are only five modal verbs in Spanish: deber, querer, saber, poder and soler.

These verbs express the speaker's attitude towards an action and express obligation, will, knowledge, permission, possibility, probability, or reiteration. All of them can acquire a different meaning depending on whether they are used in the affirmative or in the negative.

In addition, some Spanish verbs that are part of modal verbs can also be found as verbal periphrases. These are: deber de, tener que and haber que.

On the other hand, in Spanish there are other verbs that are used as modals, also followed by an infinitive. These express the intention, desire or will of the speaker to do something. The most common are: intentar, desear, pensar, procurar, esperar or preferir.

Although from Enforex we help you with the five most common Spanish modal verbs, their meanings, and some examples.

Deber

The verb deber is used to express obligation, recommendation, or assumption. Here are some examples:

• Debes estudiar para el examen de biología (You should study for the biology exam)
• Deberías descansar, la competición es mañana (You should rest, the competition is tomorrow)
• Tus padres deben cerrar las puertas por la noche (Your parents should close the door during the night)

This Spanish modal verb also functions as a verbal periphrasis, deber de, which expresses deduction, both positively and negatively. For example: 'Deben de hacer los deberes antes de clase’ (They must do their homework before class) or 'No debe de saber que es festive mañana’ (They must not know that it's a holiday tomorrow).

Querer

Querer as a Spanish modal verb is used to express desire, intention or will. For example:

• Quiero ir a la playa en verano (I want to go to the beach in the summer)
• Quiero estudiar psicología en la universidad (I want to study psychology at university)
• Quiero viajar a Nueva York este año (I want to travel to New York next summer)

Saber

The verb saber is used to express knowledge, skill, or ability. Here are some examples:

• Sé cocinar una paella riquísima (I know how to cook a delicious paella)
• No sé resolver este problema (I don't know how to solve this problem)
• ¿Sabes dibujar un círculo en la pared? (Do you know how to draw a circle on the wall)

Poder

This verb is used to indicate ability, possibility, or permission to do an action. Examples with poder:

• Puedo llevar esa mesa sin problemas (I can take that table away with no problem)
• ¿Puedes recoger la ropa de la lavandería? (Can you pick up the laundry?)
• ¿Puedo tomar un vaso de agua en tu casa? (Can I have a glass of water at your house?)

Soler

The verb soler is used to express custom or habit. Here are some examples:

• Suelo leer un par de capítulos antes de dormir (I usually read a couple of chapters before going to bed)
• Solíamos ir al cine todos los miércoles (We used to go to the cinema every Wednesday)
• ¿Sueles venir a este bar todas las semanas? (Do you usually come to this bar every week?)

Tener que

The verbal periphrasis tener que indicates obligation or necessity as a modal verb in Spanish. For example:

• Tengo que terminar el trabajo de fin de grado antes del viernes (I have to finish the final degree work before Friday)
• Tengo que comprar el regalo para el cumpleaños de mi prima (I have to buy the present for my cousin's birthday)
• Tienes que hacer la cama todos los días (You have to make the bed every day)

Haber que

Haber que is impersonal and, as a verbal periphrasis, means obligation or necessity. Some examples of this Spanish modal verb are:

• Hay que lavarse los dientes todos los días (You have to brush your teeth every day)
• Hoy no hay que ir a clase, es fiesta (Today you don't have to go to class, it's a holiday)
• Hay que coger la ropa cuando llueve (It is necessary to take the clothes when it rains)

Although it may seem that the modal verbs 'tener que' and 'haber que' are the same, they have several nuances that differentiate them. In the case of 'haber que', the sentences formed are impersonal, in the third person plural and indicate actions for a general audience. While the verb 'tener que' forms personal sentences in the first, second or third person and is always addressed to someone. You can see it in the examples above and in these:

• Hay que reciclar el papel, el plástico y el vidrio (Everyone must recycle paper, plastic, and glass) - It is addressed to everyone
• Tienes que comer más verduras y menos dulce (You have to eat more vegetables and less sweets) - It is addressed to a specific person

All these Spanish modal verbs are essential for building complex sentences and conveying precise ideas. During your Spanish learning it is essential that you practice and test your knowledge. So don't hesitate and join one of our Spanish courses in Spain to practice with qualified teachers and students of your level the Spanish modal verbs.