Examples of modal sentences in German. The meaning of modal verbs in German. Modal verbs. Order of words in a sentence

It is generally accepted that modal verbs (verbs) in German, as well as in other Germanic languages, express the relationship between the subject and the predicate. This is true, but this is the use of modal verbs. is not limited to, they can also express the subjective assessment of the speaker in relation to the content of what is being expressed.

In this article we will look at the objective use of verbs. and the ability to paraphrase them without dwelling on their detailed conjugation, as well as a number of verbs similar to modal ones.

Strictly speaking, modal verbs. – this both (expresses an obligation), and (expresses the ability to perform an action), and (expresses a desire to perform an action). Sometimes as a separate verb. you can find the form möchten, although this is not a separate verb, but a conjunctive of mögen . Auxiliary verbs. sein, werden, haben are also often considered together with modals, since in a sentence they “behave” like a mod. Verbs. A common feature of all the above-mentioned verbs. is that the third person form of these verbs. coincides with the first person form (ich will, er will, ich muss, er muss), and in a sentence they require the presence of a semantic verb, BUT without the characteristic verb particle zu.

Verb. müssen denotes an objective necessity based on external circumstances, clear instructions (for example, law) or one’s own will.

Entschuldigung! Ich muss gerade mal niesen.

Bei einer Krankheit muss die Krankenversicherung die Kosten für Behandlung übernehmen.

Ich muss meinen Eltern helfen.

ATTENTION! The negative form of the verb nicht müssen does not express a prohibition, but a lack of necessity

Du musst das Auto nicht reparieren = Du brauchst das Auto nicht zu reparieren.

You don't have to fix the car (but you can if you want).

This verb is usually used in speech. can be replaced with verbal constructions haben+zu+infinitive or sein+zu+infinitive, as well as impersonal sentences, for example:

Ich habe meinen Eltern zu helfen.

Das Auto ist zu reparieren.

Es ist erforderlich,…

Es ist notwendig,…

Ich bin gezwungen…

Verb. sollen expresses obligations based on the will of a third party: laws, social norms, generally accepted rules, commandments, etc. But, unlike müssen, verb. sollen allows the person to decide whether to follow it or not.

Meine Eltern wollen, dass ich Medizin studiere = Ich soll Medizin studieren.

Du sollst deinen Kollegen gegenüber höfflich sein.

In speech, sollen can also be replaced by haben+zu+infinitive or complex sentences:

Es wird von jemandem erwartet/gefordert/verlangt, dass…

The subjunctive form sollten expresses advice, recommendation, appeal, etc.

Du solltest zum Arzt gehen!

Du solltest lauter reden!

Verb. wollen expresses a clear intention, a firm, categorical desire based on one's own will.

Ich will Lehrerin werden. Ich will umziehen.

To bypass the use of verbs, you can use the following constructions:

Er hat vor/ nimmt sich/ hat Absicht/ ist bereit/ ist entschlossen zu….

The verb.mögen has a similar meaning. – expresses a desire, a need. However, it is usually used in other contexts: the present tense of the verb Ich mag rather expresses love or sympathy: Ich mag am liebsten Fleisch. Ich mag meinen kleinen Bruder. The past tense (ich mochte) is used quite rarely; usually the corresponding form wollen (ich wollte) is used for these purposes. But the conjunctive forms of the verb are used quite widely. Thus, Konjunktiv I möge is used to express an appeal or wish: Möge er glücklich sein! (Let him be happy!) Möge er mir dieses Buch verkaufen (Let him sell me this book).

As for the most common form möchten, it means a polite desire or request: Ich möchte gern dieses Buch haben. Ich möchte Geld überweisen.

Können also has several meanings. He expresses:

The ability to perform an action based on the presence of some skills (acquired or innate). In Russian it corresponds to a verb. be able to. Sie kann schön singen. Mein Bruder kann noch nicht lesen. It can be replaced with phrases: Er ist imstande, fähig, begabt...
The ability to carry out an action based on objective circumstances. Endlich liegt es genug Snee. Wir können Ski fahren. Er hat alle Prüfungen bestanden. Jetzt kann er sich ausruhen.
A resolution very close in meaning to the verb dürfen. Er kann alles machen, was er will. Wir können am Nachmittag draußen spielen. (Unsere Eltern haben es erlauben).
The subjunctive form KII könnten is often used for a polite question: Könnten Sie mir bitte helfen? Könntest Du mich bitte vom Hauptbahnhof abholen?

Verb. dürfen denotes a possibility based on the permission or permission of a third party or some right.

In diesem Raum darf man rauchen.

Darf ich heute dein Auto nehmen?

This form can be replaced by the expressions: Es ist erlaubt/gestattet zu…. Wir haben Recht/ Möglichkeit zu…

ATTENTION! The negative form of the verb – nicht dürfen – expresses strict ban or recommendation (less often). Hier darf man nicht rauchen. - You can't smoke here.

Man darf während des Sturms in Ozean nicht schwimmen. – Swimming is not recommended during a storm.

To consolidate and repeat the most important points on the topic “”, we offer the following table.

Looking at mod. verb in German, it is perhaps worth dwelling on some verbs, which themselves are not modal, but are used in a sentence according to the rules of modal verbs. So, for example, lassen can act as an independent verb. in the meaning of leave, and in the modal meaning of allowing, permitting, permitting, encouraging.

Ich habe mein Handy reparieren lassen. Ich habe ihn hereinkommen lassen.

In simple and subordinate clauses, lassen is paired with the infinitive of the main verb. according to modal rules. Verbs behave the same way. hören , sehen , helfen .

Ich höre ihn atmen, lachen, gehen. “I hear him breathing, laughing, walking.

Ich hörte ihn atmen, lachen, gehen. “I heard him breathing, laughing, walking.

Ich habe ihn atmen, lachen, gehen hören. “I heard him breathing, laughing, walking.

Verb. bleiben , gehen , lehren , lernen are used as modals only in the present tense and imperfect, and the perfect and plusquaperfect as ordinary verbs. (haben/hatten+PartizipII).

Ich lehre Kinder tanzen und singen. – I teach children to sing and dance.

Ich lehrte Kinder tanzen und singen.

I ch habe Kinder tanzen und singen gelehrt.

Ich hatte Kinder tanzen und singen gelehrt.

I taught children to sing and dance.

In this step we will get acquainted with another group of verbs - modal verbs in German. We are talking about verbs that express a subjective attitude to a situation, for example I can do something, I want to do something etc. They conjugate in an unusual way. These are the verbs:

können- be able to, be able to
wissen- know
mussen- to be due
sollen- to be due
mögen- be in love
möchten– would like (derived from the verb mögen, meaning “I would like...”)
wollen- want
durfen– allow (meaning “I am allowed...”)

Modal verbs in German they are conjugated as follows:

ich	kann	wir	können
du	kannst	ihr	könnt
er/sie/es	kann	Sie/sie	können

Actually, the whole feature lies in the first column. Here können is turning kann And kannst. In the second column, the verb receives endings that are already known to us; there is nothing new. In addition, the forms ich And er match up. Therefore, for the remaining modal verbs I will give only the first column:

	wollen	wissen	durfen	mögen	möchten	sollen	mussen
ich	will	weiss	darf	mag	möchte	soll	muss
du	willst	weisst	darfst	magst	möchtest	sollst	must
er/sie/es	will	weiss	darf	mag	möchte	soll	muss

Now let’s bring these verbs into our conversation and analyze their meanings in detail.

können- be able to, be able to ( general meaning). By using können can be expressed:
ability : Ich kann schwimmen. - I can swim.
opportunity : Hier kann man schwimmen. - You can swim here.
permission : Du kannst heute Nacht bei uns bleiben. “You can stay with us tonight.”
polite question: Kann ich Ihnen helfen? - Can I help you?

durfen- to have permission to do something. Also durfen has the following meanings:
permission: Sie dürfen gern hereinkommen. - You can come in.
to have a right: Mit 18 Jahren darf man in Deutschland wählen. — In Germany, people over 18 years of age have the right to vote.
polite question: Darf ich Sie etwas Persönliches fragen? — Can I ask you something personal?
moral: Man darf nicht zu alten Leuten unhöflich sein. “You can’t be impolite with older people.”

What is the difference between durfen And können in polite questions? Dürfen- this is a more polite form, können– more informal.

mussen- to be due (subjective feeling or intention). By using mussen can be expressed:
call of Duty: Ich muss für die Prüfung lernen.— I have to study for the exam.
moral: Man muss alten Leuten helfen.— We need to help older people.
duty before the law : Bei einer roten Ampel muss man warten.— If the traffic light is red, you need to wait.

sollen- to be due (objective feeling, that is, someone else said that he should). This word can be expressed:
objective duty : Der Lehrer hat gesagt, ich soll nach dem Unterricht bleiben.— The teacher said that I should stay after class.
recommendation: Du bist erkältet, du sollst lieber zu Hause bleiben.- You have a cold, you better stay home.
direct order: Sie sollen aufstehen!- You must get up!
question-suggestion : Soll ich das Licht ausmachen?— Should I turn off the light? Soll ich dir helfen?- Should I help you?

mussen vs. sollen

Both words mean “to ought,” but the meaning is slightly different for both words.

Was denkst du? Soll ich heute tanzen gehen?- Do you think I should go to the dance today?
A very typical German answer:
Du kannst es gerne machen, aber du musst nicht.- You can do it (if you want), but you don’t have to (shouldn’t).

mussen– you yourself decided that you need to do this, it’s your will.
sollen– someone told you that you have to do this – it’s not your will.

wollen- want, desire, plan
Wir wollen Deutsch lernen.— We want to learn German.
Wollt ihr Deutsch lernen?— Where do you want/plan to learn German?

möchten- I would like to. A more polite form than wollen.
Möchten Sie auch etwas essen?— Verbatim: Would you also like to eat something?
Was it möchten Sie?-What would you like? (this is what the waiter asks in a restaurant)
Ich möchte nur trinken. - I would just like to have a drink.

mögen- to love, to like. This word has the following meanings:
be in love: Ich mag germn Eis.- I like ice cream. Ich mag nicht alleine zu Hause sein.— I don’t like being alone at home.
polite question "could you" :Magst du diesen Text vorlesen?— Could you read this text out loud?

wissen- know
Er weiss das.- He knows it.
Weiss du, wann der Zug abfährt?— Do you know when the train leaves?
Ich weiss es nicht.- I don't know.

Modal verbs in German: expressing the degree of probability

Verbs müssen, sollen, können, mögen They are also combined into one group because they indicate different degrees of probability or confidence in such sentences as:

Das muss so sein.— That’s how it should be (I’m 100% sure)
Das soll so sein.- That’s how it should be (80% sure, because someone else said it)
Das kann so sein.— It may be so (I’m 50-60% sure, I don’t know for sure)
Das mag so sein.— Maybe so (I’m 30-40% sure, maybe, but I really doubt it)

Exercises for the topic:

Do you have any questions about this topic? Write in the comments.

Lesson 6: Modal verbs in German. What are they? was last modified: November 1st, 2018 by Catherine

Details Category: German modal verbs

Modal verbs express not the action itself, but the attitude towards the action (i.e. the possibility, necessity, desirability of performing the action), therefore they are usually used in a sentence with the infinitive of another verb expressing the action.

Modal verbs include the following verbs:

können dürfen müssen sollen mögen wollen

The conjugated modal verb stands In second place in a sentence, and the infinitive of the semantic verb is last in a sentence and is used without the particle zu.

können- be able, be able, be able (possibility due to objective circumstances)

durfen- 1) be able - dare, have permission (possibility based on “someone else’s will”) 2) when denied, expresses prohibition - “impossible”, “not allowed”

mussen- 1) obligation, necessity, need, conscious duty 2) when negated, “müssen” is often replaced by the verb “brauchen + zu Infinitiv)

sollen- 1) obligation based on “someone else’s will” - order, instruction, instruction 2) in a question (direct or indirect) is not translated (expresses “request for instructions, instructions”)

wollen- 1) want, intend, gather 2) invitation to joint action

mögen- 1) “would like” - in the form möchte (politely expressed desire in the present tense) 2) love, like - in its own meaning (when used without an accompanying infinitive)

The meaning of modal verbs in German

durfen

a) have permission or right
In diesem Park durfen Kinder spielen. - In this park for children allowed play.

b) prohibit (always in negative form)
Bei Rot darf man die Straße nothingüberqueren. - Street it is forbidden cross against the lights

können

a) have the opportunity
In einem Jahr können wir das Haus bestimmt teurer verkaufen. - In a year we will definitely we can sell the house for more money.

b) have the ability to do something
Er kann gut Tennis spielen. - He can play tennis well.

mögen

a) to have/not have an inclination, disposition towards something.
Ich mag mit dem neuen Kollegen nicht zusammenarbeiten. - I don't like work with someone new.

b) the same meaning, but the verb acts as a full-valued one
Ich mag keine Schlagsahne! - I don't I love whipped cream!

The modal verb mögen is most often used in the subjunctive form (conjunctive) möchte - would like. The personal endings for this form are the same as for other modal verbs in the present:

ich möchte, du möchtest, etc.

c) have a desire

Wir möchten ihn gern kennen lernen. - We would you like to meet him.

Ich möchte Deutsch sprechen.— I I would like to speak German.

Du möchtest Arzt werden. - You I would like to To become a doctor.

Er möchte auch commen. - He too I would like to come.

mussen

a) be forced to perform an action under the pressure of external circumstances
Mein Vater ist krank, ich muss nach Hause fahren. - My father is sick, I must to drive home.

b) to be forced to perform an action out of necessity
Nach dem Unfall mussten wir zu Fuß nach Hause gehen. - After the accident we must were walk home.

c) accept the inevitability of what happened
Das must ja so kommen, wir haben es geahnt. - This should have happen, we saw it coming.

d) Instead of müssen with negation there is = nicht brauchen + zu + Infinitiv
Mein Vater ist wieder gesund, ich brauche nicht nach Hause zu fahren. - My father is healthy again, I don’t need to to drive home.

sollen

a) require action to be performed in accordance with commandments, laws
Du sollst nicht toten. - You do not must kill.

b) demand the performance of an action in accordance with duty, morality
Jeder soll die Lebensart des anderen anerkennen. - Every must respect the other's way of life.

c) emphasize that the action is performed on someone’s order or instruction
Ich soll nüchtern zur Untersuchung kommen. Das hat der Arzt gesagt. - I must come on an empty stomach for the study. That's what the doctor said.

wollen

a) express a strong desire
Ich will dir die Wahrheit sagen. - I Want tell you the truth.

b) communicate your intention to do something, plans for the future
I'm December wollen wir in das neue Haus einziehen. - In December we we want move into a new house.

In some cases the main verb may be omitted:

Ich muss nach Hause (gehen). Sie kann gut Englisch (sprechen). Er will in die Stadt (fahren). Ich mag keine Schlagsahne (essen).

A modal verb can be used without a main verb if the main verb is mentioned in the previous context:

Ich kann nicht gut kochen. Meine Mutter konnte es auch nicht. Wir haben es beide nicht gut gekonnt.

Conjugation of modal verbs

Conjugation tables for modal verbs need to be memorized.

Conjugation table for modal verbs in the present tense

Pronoun man in combination with modal verbs it is translated by impersonal constructions:

man kann - you can
man kann nicht - impossible, impossible
man darf - possible, allowed
man darf nicht - impossible, not allowed
man muss - necessary, necessary
man muss nicht - not necessary, not necessary
man soll - should, must
man soll nicht - should not

Conjugation table for modal verbs in the past tense Präteritum

Modal verbs in the past tense are most often used in Präteritum. In other past tenses, modal verbs are practically not used.

Place of a modal verb in a simple sentence

1. The modal verb is in a simple sentence In second place.

The second place in the sentence is occupied by the conjugated part of the predicate - the auxiliary verb haben. The modal verb is used in the infinitive and follows the full verb, occupying the last place in the sentence.

Präsens: Der Arbeiter will den Meister sprechen .

Präteritum: Der Arbeiter Wollte den Meister sprechen .

Perfect: Der Arbeiter hat den Meister sprechen wollen .

Plusquamperfect: Der Arbeiter hatte den Meister sprechen wollen .

Place of a modal verb in a subordinate clause

1. Modal verb in the form of present or imperfect costs in subordinate clause last.

2. If a modal verb is used in perfect or plusquaperfect form, then it is also worth in the infinitive form in last place. The conjugated part of the predicate - the auxiliary verb - comes before both infinitives.

Präsens besuchen kann .

Präteritum: Es ist schade, dass er uns nicht be suchen konnte.

Perfect: Es ist schade, dass er uns nicht hat besuchen können.

Plusquamperfect: Es ist schade, dass er uns nicht hatte besuchen können.

) and irregular verbs (§ 28), in the German language there is a layer of so-called modal verbs. The features of the modal verb as such are difficult to understand for a non-linguist, so this concept itself is often used thoughtlessly. Everything here is quite simple: these verbs can express possibility, necessity, assumption, order or desire. If other verbs convey an action or state, then modal verbs express modality and reflect the speaker’s attitude to what is described in the sentence.

Verbs are modal können"to be able" durfen"to have a right", sollen"to be obliged (obliged, forced)" mussen"to have to (have a need)" wollen"want" and mögen"want". They can also drag in a verb here lassen“allow”, which in some cases expresses modality, although it is not actually modal. All these verbs belong to the group irregular verbs, but stand out separately due to their lexical and grammatical features. Here we will look at the presence of verbs (preterite, see § 37). Modal verbs are characterized by the absence of personal endings in the first and third persons singular, as well as changing the root vowel in the singular (except for the verb sollen). Verb lassen conjugates as a strong with the umlaut of the root vowel in the second and third persons singular. Just memorize all these forms, repeat them and use them in conjunction with the examples. These are some of the most frequent verbs that you cannot do without in speech.

Pronoun	Infinitive
Pronoun	können	durfen	sollen	mussen	wollen	mögen	lassen
ich (I)	kann (Can)	darf (Can)	soll (must)	muss (must)	will (Want)	mag (Wish)	lasse (allow)
du (You)	kannst (can)	darfst (can)	sollst (must)	must (must)	willst (Want)	magst (wish)	lässt (allow)
er/sie/es (he she it)	kann (Maybe)	darf (Maybe)	soll (must)	muss (must)	will (wants)	mag (wishes)	lässt (allows)
wir (We)	können (Can)	durfen (Can)	sollen (must)	mussen (must)	wollen (want)	mögen (we wish)	lassen (allow)
ihr (You)	könnt (you can)	durft (you can)	sollt (must)	müsst (must)	wollt (want to)	mögt (wish)	lasst (allow)
sie/Sie (they/you)	können (can/can)	durfen (can/can)	sollen (must)	mussen (must)	wollen (want/want)	mögen (wish/want)	lassen (allow/allow)

The use of modal verbs is a topic that deserves more careful consideration. Modal verbs, like many other verbs in the German language, can express not one meaning, which is assigned to them in dictionaries, but several. Much can be gleaned from context. It should also be remembered that modal verbs, as a rule, are not used independently, but in conjunction with other verbs that complement them. In this case, they say that the modal verb is an inflected part of the compound verb predicate. For example:

Ich kann alles verstehen.- I can understand everything.
Ich muss anrufen.- I need (I have to) call.

Here are the verbs können And mussen are inextricably linked with verbs verstehen And anrufen. There may be other verbs as you wish. The more often you combine, the better you remember. Here, by the way, it should be noted in advance that such expressions as “I’m hungry” and “I’m thirsty” in German, as in many other European languages, traditionally have their own formulations: “ ich habe Hunger“/„ich bin hungrig" And " ich habe Durst“/„ich bin durstig“.

And now, in fact, let's move on to the meanings expressed by modal verbs. Their a large number of, and you won’t remember them right away, but the more often you use them, the better you will understand the contextual meaning of the verbs that convey these meanings. You can always easily navigate this lesson if you forget or miss something.

Let's start with the verb können - a verb that usually expresses the ability to do something, skill, physical ability, knowledge of something, and sometimes permission to do something. The verb very often appears in the speech of Germans, even where it is not entirely appropriate. For example, as in the last example, where it would be logically correct to put the verb durfen. However, there are things that seem familiar to Germans, despite the general rules of verb usage.

Similar to the wonderful verb discussed above durfen , which also expresses possibility, but this possibility is determined not so much physically as by permission or the right to act. When we say “I can,” we can mean “I am capable” and “I have the right.” Verb durfen refers specifically to the latter, which is its main difference from the verb können.

The next verb is sollen . It expresses, as a rule, a commanding nature, a necessity, a demand both from a third party and one’s own (moral duty). IN interrogative sentence such a verb is used if a certain call or order must follow from the respondent, as well as in cases of some doubt.

Verb mussen similar to a verb sollen, if we consider it from the point of view of the Russian language, since it also expresses an obligation, but the nature of such an obligation is completely different. Often this verb expresses some kind of internal necessity or need, if you like. In some cases, the verb expresses a certain confidence of the speaker.

Verb wollen expresses a desire or intention, and quite a categorical, demanding one. It is opposed to the verb mögen, which expresses a “softer” desire.

Verb mögen also expresses desire, therefore in meaning it is connected with the verb wollen. The preterite conjunctive form of this verb is very often used, which looks like möchte for the first and third persons singular. It should be translated as “would like.” In one of the lessons on polite phrases, we encountered this form. It is also quite common and often appears in requests. In some cases, the meaning expressed by a verb can show the likelihood of something. Also verb mögen can be a synonym for the verb lieben, in this case it ceases to express modality.

Finally, the verb lassen can express, in combination with the infinitive, both assumption, permission, and order. As a full verb lassen has the meaning “to leave” and in this case it can no longer be modal.

Knowing modal verbs, you can easily express any request, wish, make it clear to your interlocutor who owes what to whom, etc. This is a very important and not the easiest topic, since there is a lot to remember, and in addition it is necessary to clearly distinguish those situations where it should be used können

Modality is a grammatical category that expresses the speaker’s attitude towards the statement.

In German, modality can be expressed in a sentence in various ways: I. Using modal verbs (in this manual we decided not to dwell in detail on this method, since it does not present any particular difficulties in translating and understanding the sentence; II. The meaning of modality can be expressed by infinitive constructions haben +zu + Infinitive, sein + zu + Infinitive. IN technical literature You can often find these designs.

Combination haben + zu + Infinitive And sein + zu + Infinitive express an obligation, less often a possibility, and correspond in meaning to modal verbs mü ssen, sollen and, less often, kö nnen.

Combination haben + zu + Infinitive means obligation and has an active meaning. It is used when the subject is the subject performing the action. This combination is translated with the words “must, must, need”:

a) Der Zylinder hat im Dieselmotor im Gegensatz zum Verbrennungsmotor nur reine Luft anzusaugen. – Diesel engine cylinder as opposed to carburetor engine must suck only clean air.

b) Beim Bau eines Eisbrechers mit Atommotor hat man zahlreiche schwierige Aufgaben zu lö sen. – During the construction of a nuclear-powered icebreaker must (must) be decided numerous difficult tasks.

Combination sein + zu + Infinitive means obligation or possibility and is passive in nature. The subject in this case denotes the object or person to whom the action is directed.

Combination sein + zu + Infinitive translated by the words “should, should be, maybe”:

a) Die Erforschungen der neuen Legierungen sind fortzusetzen. – Research of new alloys should continue.

b) Diese Strahlen sind in der Technik und in der Medizin zu verwenden. - These rays must be applied in technology and medicine.

III. The meaning of modality can be expressed by modal verbs in combination with the infinitive of another verb. Such combinations will make a guess, but only with varying degrees of certainty:

1) verb mü ssen + Infinitive– an assumption with a high degree of confidence, certainty: Diese Maschine muss eine neue Erfindung im Autostrassenbau sein. - This car, for sure(in all likelihood) a new invention in the field of highway construction.

2) kö nnen + Infinitive– perhaps, maybe, perhaps, probably: In diesem Falle kann auch ein Einfluss der magnetischen Wellen vorhanden sein. – In this case, there is probably the influence of magnetic waves.

3) mö gen + Infinitive– perhaps, maybe, perhaps, and also expresses a feasible desire, permission or softened command and is translated by the word “let”: Als weiterer Beweis mag noch die Leitfähigkeit dieses Körpers dienen. – Further proof probably serves, the conductivity of this body. Mag er diese Röhre nehmen. – Let He will take this vacuum tube.

4) dü rfen + Infinitive expresses an assumption and is translated by the words “possibly, probably, seems, obviously”: Eine höhere Temperatur bei der Bearbeitung durfte die Eigenschaften des Metalls verbessern. – More than heat during processing, maybe improve metal quality.

5) solen + Infinitiv- an assumption conveyed from other people's words. In this case, additional words are used in translation: “they say, in the opinion, apparently” Die Experimente sollen erfolgreich verlaufen. – They say what experiments are leaking successfully.

6) wollen in 1st person plural in combination with the infinitive of another verb it has the connotation of a softened command: Wollen wir die wichtigsten Operationen nennen. – Let's call the most important operations.; Wollen wir jetzt die Wirkungsweise einer Kompressoranlage unpretentious. – Let's discuss Now the operating principle of the compressor unit.

IV. Modality can also be expressed using a verb sich lassen + Infinitiv. In this case, it is used to express possibility. Translated: “you can do something, get done”: Das Experiment lässt sich leicht wiederholen. – Experiment May be easily repeated.