Getting to Know the Spanish Modal Auxiliary Verbs

Ready to find out what Spanish modal auxiliary verbs are, and how to use them? Don’t worry, they’re not as scary as they sound! Read on to know about it.

What is a Spanish modal auxiliary verb?

An auxiliary verb, sometimes called a ‘helping verb,’ is a verb that usually works with another verb (the main verb) to form a verb phrase—for example, by putting it in front of an infinitive (volver a intentar) or a gerund (estar cocinando).

Some of the most important modal verbs in Spanish are:

We’re going to look at them one by one, and conjugate them all in the present tense. Don’t forget, they can be used in other tenses, too!

Querer

Querer means ‘to want.’ One of the main ways to use it is to put it before an infinitive. This usage makes it a modal verb.

Here’s how to conjugate it in the present tense.

If you use querer in the imperfect subjunctive or the conditional (e.g. quisiera, querría), it can be a great way of politely asking for something, and isn’t as strong as ‘I WANT.’

Now let’s see how it’s used in context. Remember, stick it before an infinitive.

Poder

Arguably the most common of the Spanish modal verbs, poder doesn’t have a direct one-word English equivalent, but it means ‘to be able to.’

Here it is in the present tense.

This verb is also often used in the conditional tense (e.g. podría), and sometimes the imperfect tense (e.g. podía) to politely ask permission.

See also: 200 Most Common Spanish Verbs (+ Download a Free PDF)

Saber

Saber means ‘to know.’ It can refer to knowing a skill, or knowing information.

Here it is in the present tense.

It’s commonly used in the imperfect tense (¿sabías que...?) to mean ‘did you know?’

Bear in mind that the verb saber actually also means ‘to taste’ (when describing the flavor of something)!

Difference between poder and saber

Okay, so we know that poder means ‘to be able to.’ Sometimes, as you can see above, saber can also have that meaning! If you think about it, it makes sense. Saber is to know. To know how to do something implies having the ability to do it.

There’s just a slight difference in the type of “ability.”

Deber

Deber + infinitive means that something ‘must’ be done.

Here it is conjugated in the present tense.

It’s also used a lot in the conditional tense (e.g. debería) to weaken the level of obligation. With the conditional, it’s a case of ‘should’ or ‘ought to,’ rather than ‘must.’

Another thing you can do is it to use the phrase deber de. Having the de slightly changes the meaning. Deber de is used to express that something is probable, or that you suppose is true. Note that in Mexican Spanish, this is replaced with haber de.

Example sentences:

Remember that deber also means ‘to owe.’

Tener que

The verb tener and the word que form a nice little phrase that means ‘to have to.’ It has a similar meaning to deber, but carries an even stronger sense of obligation!

*This is an example of a ‘supposition.’ All that means is that we’re not saying ‘you must be crazy; I’m commanding you to be crazy.’ Instead, we’re saying ‘you must be crazy; I suppose that’s the only way to explain your actions.’

Soler

Soler + infinitive means to usually/normally do something. This construction is a lovely little alternative to normalmente.

Here it is, conjugated in the present tense:

Time for examples!

Haber

Haber has a few shades of meaning, depending on how you use it. It’s often used as the auxiliary verb in compound tenses, in which case it means ‘to have.’ For example, he comprado algo.

Here’s the present tense conjugation table.

*There’s another third person singular form, which is hay. It means ‘there is’/’there are.’

Another way of using haber to express obligation is to add que after it. Haber que is only used in the third person singular form, and it talks about something that is necessary, without naming any specific person.

Quiz time!

For each example below, pick the correct modal verb or verb phrase.

 1. ___ reír. (You have to laugh.)

       a. Tengo que

       b. Hay que

       c. Sueles

 2. ___ verte. (I want to see you.)

       a. Quiero 

       b. Necesito 

       c. Sé 

 3. ___ dejar de acosarme. (You absolutely have to stop stalking me.)

       a. Quieres

       b. Sueles

       c. Tienes que

 4. Elías no ___ mentir. (Elías doesn’t know how to lie.)

       a. sabe

       b. sé 

       c. puede 

 5. Esta clase ___ ser difícil para ti. (This class must be difficult for you.)

       a. suele

       b. hay 

       C. debe de 

 6. Oye, la puerta está cerrada. ¿___ pasar? (Listen, the door’s shut. Can I come in?

       a. sé

       b. puedo 

       c. debo 

 7. Mi familia y yo ___ comer comida china. (My family and I usually eat Chinese food.)

       a. solemos 

       a. queremos 

       a. deberíamos 

See also: A Quick Guide to Spanish Reflexive Verbs

Conclusion

I must congratulate you on getting through this lesson. It should help develop the sophistication of your Spanish. Lots of practice usually helps.