Spanish · A1 · Everyday language
Freedom and Responsibilities in Spanish
This guide focuses on using modal verbs in Spanish to discuss choices, permissions, and daily responsibilities with your child. We will cover how to express what someone can, must, or wants to do.
What you'll learn
- Use 'poder' to talk about ability and permission.
- Use 'deber' to express obligations and responsibilities.
- Use 'querer' to talk about desires and choices.
- Construct simple sentences using a modal verb followed by an infinitive.
Spanish phrases for freedom and responsibilities
¿Puedes cocinar pasta?
Can you cook pasta?
Using 'poder' for ability.
Puedes planear el juego.
You can plan the game.
A1 level usage of 'poder' for permission or choice.
Debes hacer tu tarea.
You must do your homework.
Using 'deber' to express a responsibility.
Debemos dar de comer al gato.
We must feed the cat.
'Dar de comer' is the standard way to say 'to feed'.
¿Quieres ver a tus amigos?
Do you want to meet your friends?
'Ver' (to see) is often used naturally for 'meeting up' at this level.
Quiero escuchar tu idea.
I want to hear your idea.
A respectful way to encourage communication.
Puedes usar mi computadora.
You may use my laptop.
'Poder' is commonly used for both 'can' and 'may'.
Puedes quedarte en casa de tu amigo.
You may stay at your friend's house.
'Quedarte' includes the reflexive 'te' for 'you'.
Hear these phrases and practise them
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Try it free for 7 daysKey words
Hacer la tarea
To do homework
In Spanish, we 'make/do' (hacer) homework.
Dar de comer
To feed
Literally translated as 'to give of to eat'.
La computadora
The laptop/computer
Common in Latin America; in Spain, 'el ordenador' is more frequent.
Modal Verb Structure
When using modal verbs (can, must, want), conjugate the first verb for the person speaking, and leave the second verb in its original 'infinitive' form (ending in -ar, -er, or -ir).
| Use | Form | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Poder (Can/May) | puedo, puedes, puede, podemos, pueden | Tú puedes (You can) + jugar (to play). |
| Deber (Must) | debo, debes, debe, debemos, deben | Nosotros debemos (We must) + ayudar (to help). |
| Querer (Want) | quiero, quieres, quiere, queremos, quieren | Yo quiero (I want) + leer (to read). |
More examples
¿Quieres jugar ahora?
Do you want to play now?
A common way to offer a choice.
Debes lavar tus manos.
You must wash your hands.
A simple daily responsibility.
No puedes usar el teléfono hoy.
You cannot use the phone today.
Using 'no' before the modal verb for a restriction.