4Module 6
Modal Verbs
Verbos Modais
Key Concept
Modal verbs are followed by the infinitive and express shades of meaning around ability, obligation, permission, and necessity. The distinction between poder (permission/possibility), saber (learned skill), and conseguir (manage to achieve) has no equivalent in Cantonese.
Key Phrase — Try saying it!
Posso falar português.
PODER
can / may / to be allowed to
Structure: poder + infinitive
| Pronoun | Form | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eu | posso | I can | |
| Tu | podes | you can | |
| Ele/Ela | pode | he/she can | |
| Nós | podemos | we can | |
| Eles/Elas | podem | they can |
Posso sair mais cedo?
May I leave early?
Não posso beber álcool.
I can't drink alcohol.
DEVER
should / ought to / must
Structure: dever + infinitive
| Pronoun | Form | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eu | devo | I should | |
| Tu | deves | you should | |
| Ele/Ela | deve | he/she should | |
| Nós | devemos | we should | |
| Eles/Elas | devem | they should |
Deves estudar mais.
You should study more.
Devo chegar às nove.
I must arrive at nine.
TER DE / TER QUE
have to / must
Structure: ter de/que + infinitive
| Pronoun | Form | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eu | tenho de | I have to | |
| Tu | tens de | you have to | |
| Ele/Ela | tem de | he/she has to | |
| Nós | temos de | we have to | |
| Eles/Elas | têm de | they have to |
Tenho de trabalhar amanhã.
I have to work tomorrow.
Tens que ir agora.
You have to go now.
CONSEGUIR
to manage to / succeed in
Structure: conseguir + infinitive
| Pronoun | Form | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eu | consigo | I manage to | |
| Tu | consegues | you manage to | |
| Ele/Ela | consegue | he/she manages to | |
| Nós | conseguimos | we manage to | |
| Eles/Elas | conseguem | they manage to |
Não consigo abrir esta porta.
I can't manage to open this door.
Consegues falar devagar?
Can you manage to speak slowly?
SABER
to know how to (learned skill)
Structure: saber + infinitive
| Pronoun | Form | Meaning | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eu | sei | I know how | |
| Tu | sabes | you know how | |
| Ele/Ela | sabe | he/she knows how | |
| Nós | sabemos | we know how | |
| Eles/Elas | sabem | they know how |
Sei conduzir.
I know how to drive.
Sabes cozinhar?
Do you know how to cook?
HÁ (Haver — Impersonal)
The impersonal verb HÁ (from HAVER) means 'there is/there are'. It is invariable.
Há uma farmácia perto daqui?
Is there a pharmacy nearby?
Há muitos turistas em Lisboa no verão.
There are many tourists in Lisbon in summer.
Não há leite no frigorífico.
There is no milk in the fridge.