Modal Verbs and Talk About What You Want, Can, or Must Do
In the journey to learn Romanian, students quickly encounter verbs that allow them to express desires, abilities, and obligations. These are essential tools for creating real-life, functional sentences, such as saying what you want to eat, what you’re able to do, or what tasks you must complete. Among the first grammar-focused lessons, learners explore modal verbs like “vreau” (I want), “pot” (I can), and “trebuie” (I must).
The Core Romanian Modal Verbs: Vreau, Pot, Trebuie
Romanian uses modal constructions to pair a conjugated verb (like vreau) with an infinitive verb introduced by “să”:
vreau să citesc – I want to read
pot să merg – I can go
trebuie să vorbesc – I must speak
doresc să mănânc – I wish to eat
These structures are consistent and predictable, making them an ideal topic for beginners. Learners are encouraged to combine these verbs with familiar actions from daily life, like a merge (to go), a vorbi (to speak), a citi (to read), or a învăța (to study).
Verb Conjugation Patterns at the Present Tense
To use these verbs effectively, it’s important to know how to conjugate them in the present tense. Here’s a simplified table:
| Pronoun | VREAU (to want) | POT (can) | TREBUIE (must) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eu | vreau | pot | trebuie |
| Tu | vrei | poți | trebuie |
| El/Ea | vrea | poate | trebuie |
| Noi | vrem | putem | trebuie |
| Voi | vreți | puteți | trebuie |
| Ei/Ele | vor | pot | trebuie |
Note: trebuie is impersonal in Romanian and does not change form across persons.
Learning Through Context: Practical Examples
Our beginners practice by using these verbs in personal and practical contexts:
Eu vreau să învăț limba română.
Tu poți să citești acest text?
Noi trebuie să mergem la curs.
In one interactive activity, students reflect on their own goals and routines:
Eu doresc să vizitez România.
Eu pot să gătesc ciorbă.
Eu trebuie să lucrez astăzi.
By combining modal verbs with real actions, they develop fluency and confidence in expressing themselves.
Indicative vs. Subjunctive: A Gentle Introduction
A key insight taught in our classes is how the infinitive becomes the conjunctive mood when introduced by modal verbs:
vreau să vorbesc (I want to speak) → subjunctive present
pot să citesc (I can read) → subjunctive present
*trebuie să învăț → I must study
Though Romanian uses the subjunctive after many modal verbs, learners aren’t overwhelmed — we integrate this gradually, using verbs they already know.
Express Yourself Freely with Our Romanian Lessons
The ability to say what you want, can, or need to do is central to real communication. At Punto Iberica, we make grammar practical and fun. With our Romanian lessons, you’ll not only memorize verb forms — you’ll apply them in conversations, role-plays, and writing. Let your voice be heard in Romanian, one verb at a time!
For additional grammar explanations, check out our recommended grammar resources.
How this was written: We sometimes use AI tools to help organize and expand on our teaching ideas — but every article is reviewed, edited, and polished by a human.
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