Slovak modal verbs

Slovak modal words express the will and the desire to do something. Those are: chcieť, môcť, musieť, vedieť, mať, smieť. All of them can be declined. Let's have a look at their declension and how they are used in the sentences.

Conjugation of chcieť

This verb means "to want".

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Examples:

• Chcem ísť von. (I want to go out.)
• Chceš jesť? (Do you want to eat?)
• Chceme nových kamarátov. (We want new friends.)

Conjugation of môcť

This verb means "to can" or "to be able to".

Examples:

• Môžeš ísť von? (Can you go out?)
• Môžete prísť o druhej. (You can come at two o´clock.)
• Nemôžem zostať do rána. ( I can´t stay until the morning.)

Conjugation of musieť

This verb means "to have to", "to must".

Examples:

• Musíš prísť. (You must come.)
• Nemusíš prísť. (You do not have to come.)
• Musíme piť viac vody. (We have to drink much water.)

Conjugation of vedieť

This verb means "to know".

Examples:

• Viem písať. (I know how to write.)
• Viete plávať? (Do you know how to swim?)
• Vieš čítať knihy. (You know how to read the books.)

Conjugation of mať

This verb means "to have" or "should". Here is the conjugation in the conditional.

The modal verb mať is used in the conditional form, otherwise it signifies "to have".

Examples:

• Mali by sme odísť. (We should leave.)
• Mal by si sa umyť. (You should wash.)
• Mal by sa ostrihať. (You should get a haircut.)

Conjugation of smieť

This verb means "to can", "may".

The model verb smieť is very often used when asking for a permission.

Examples:

• Smiem ísť do kina? (May I go to the cinema?)
• Smiem si to kúpiť? (May I buy it?)
• Smiem odísť? (May I leave?)

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