wollen
Modalverb (Modal) Level A1 ⭐ #7 Most CommonEnglish translation: to want / to intend
Präsens (Present)
Wanting or intending currently
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| ich | will | |
| du | willst | |
| er/sie/es | will | |
| wir | wollen | |
| ihr | wollt | |
| sie/Sie | wollen |
- Ich will dieses Jahr Deutsch lernen. — I want to learn German this year.
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Frequently Asked Questions: WOLLEN
Is "wollen" a regular or irregular verb in German? ▾
"wollen" is classified as a Modalverb (Modal) verb in German. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "ich will, du willst, er will / Präteritum: wollte". Umlautless in past: wollte. Zero ending in 1st/3rd person singular present: ich will, er will. Use 'ich möchte' (would like) in cafes and restaurants for politeness; 'ich will' sounds demanding.
What does "wollen" mean in English? ▾
In English, "wollen" translates primarily to "to want / to intend". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A1 contexts for everyday communication.
What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "wollen"? ▾
A frequent error is saying "Er willt ein Eis essen." instead of "Er will ein Eis essen.". Why? Modal verbs take no '-t' ending in 3rd person singular: 'er will'.
What are common idioms or expressions with "wollen"? ▾
A popular idiom is "Das will ich hoffen!" which means "I should hope so!" (e.g. "Kommst du pünktlich? — Das will ich hoffen!").
How can I practice and memorize "wollen" conjugations? ▾
Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.
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Other Important German Verbs to Study
to be
to have
to become / will (future auxiliary)
can / to be able to
to go / to walk
to see / look
to know (facts/information)
to stay / remain
to give / there is (es gibt)
to speak / talk
to drive / ride / travel
to help (takes dative)
to take
to write
to run / to walk / to function
to bring / to take to
to drink
to think
should / ought to / to be supposed to
may / to be allowed to / to have permission
to find / to consider / to think of
to come / to arrive / to originate from
to stand / to be situated / to suit