What are Slovak modal verbs, and how do you use them? In this episode of Slovak Sound Check, we explore useful verbs such as “chcieť”, “musieť”, “môcť”, “smieť”, “vedieť” and “mať”. We’ll look at how they work with infinitives and learn how to express things like wanting, needing, being able to, being allowed to and being supposed to do something.
SSCH_Ep57
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Vocabulary
chcieť = to want
musieť = to have to / must
smieť = may / to be allowed to
môcť = can / to be able to
vedieť = can / to know / to know how to
mať = to have / to be supposed to
(Ja) chcem vidieť. = I want to see.
(Ty) musíš spať. = You have to sleep.
(On / Ona / Ono) smie cestovať. = She is allowed to travel.
(My) môžeme študovať. = We can study.
(Vy) viete plávať. = You (pl) can (know how to) swim.
(Oni / Ony) majú variť. = They’re supposed to cook.
Bonus conjugations
chcieť (to want)
ja chcem = I want
ty chceš = you want
on / ona / ono chce = he / she / it wants
my chceme = we want
vy chcete = you want
oni / ony chcú = they want
musieť (to have to / must)
ja musím = I must
ty musíš = you must
on / ona / ono musí = he / she / it must
my musíme = we must
vy musíte = you must
oni / ony musia = they must
smieť (may / to be allowed to)
ja smiem = I may
ty smieš = you may
on / ona / ono smie = he / she / it may
my smieme = we may
vy smiete = you may
oni / ony smú = they may
môcť (can / to be able to)
ja môžem = I can
ty môžeš = you can
on / ona / ono môže = he / she / it can
my môžeme = we can
vy môžete = you can
oni / ony môžu = they can
vedieť (can / to know (how to)
ja viem = I can / know
ty vieš = you can / know
on / ona / ono vie = he / she / it can / knows
my vieme = we can / know
vy viete = you can / know
oni / ony vedia = they can / know
mať (to have / to be supposed to)
ja mám = I have / am supposed to
ty máš = you have / are supposed to
on / ona / ono má = he / she / it has / is supposed to
my máme = we have / are supposed to
vy máte = you have / are supposed to
oni / ony majú = they have / are supposed to
