8.12 Modal verbs-2: Können, mögen, wollen

Ich möchte...

The verb mögen ("to like") is unique amongst modal verbs in that it is the conditional form, and not the present tense, which is used with a following infinitive. We will deal with the present tense of the verb mögen and how it is used in the next chapter.

It translates as a more polite (and more restrained) way of saying "I want to" than "ich will". Thus in the final example below, it would appear rude to say: "Wollen Sie später noch mal anrufen?".

 

Ich will eine Nachricht hinterlassen.

(I want to leave a message.)

Ich möchte eine Nachricht hinterlassen.

(I would like to leave a message.)

Möchten Sie später noch mal anrufen?

(Would you like to ring back later?)