_Kunnen_ means "can": you are able to do something, or something is possible (_Ik kan zwemmen_). _Mogen_ means you are allowed to (_Mag ik hier parkeren?_), and with a person it can also mean to like someone (_Ik mag haar wel_). _Durven_ means to dare, with or without _te_: _Ik durf niet te springen_ and _Ik durf niet springen_ are both correct.
The pattern
_Kunnen_ is about ability or possibility, _mogen_ is about permission, and _durven_ is about courage. The second verb is an infinitive (the basic form of a verb, like _zwemmen_) and usually goes to the end of the sentence.
- _kunnen_: _ik kan, jij kunt, hij kan, wij kunnen_. _Jij kan_ is also correct and very common in speech. In a question: _Kun je komen?_ or _Kan je komen?_
- _mogen_: _ik mag, jij mag, hij mag, wij mogen_. No _-t_ in the present tense, not even after _jij_ or _hij_.
- _durven_: _ik durf, jij durft, hij durft, wij durven_, with the normal endings, like _werken_.
- After _kunnen_ and _mogen_, the infinitive comes without _te_. After _durven_, _te_ is optional.
- _Mogen_ plus a person, usually with _wel_, _graag_ or _niet_, means to like that person.
Examples
| Ik kan goed zwemmen. | I can swim well. |
|---|---|
| Kunt u mij even helpen? | Could you help me for a moment? |
| In deze winkel kun je alleen pinnen. | In this shop you can only pay by card. |
| De trein kan vertraging hebben. | The train may be delayed. |
| Mag ik hier parkeren? | Am I allowed to park here? |
| Op de stoep mag je niet fietsen. | You're not allowed to cycle on the pavement. |
| Ik mag mijn nieuwe buurman wel. | I quite like my new neighbour. |
| Fatima mag de nieuwe teamleider niet. | Fatima doesn't like the new team leader. |
| Ik durf niet te springen. | I don't dare to jump. |
| Carlos durft aan de telefoon nog geen Nederlands te spreken. | Carlos doesn't dare to speak Dutch on the phone yet. |
Why it works this way
Before you do something, ask three questions. Is it possible, for your body, your skills or your schedule? That is _kunnen_. Is it okay with the rules or the person in charge? That is _mogen_. Are you brave enough? That is _durven_. Compare:
- _Ik kan morgen niet komen._ (I'm busy or ill.)
- _Ik mag morgen niet komen._ (Someone said no.)
- _Ik kan niet springen._ (My knee hurts.)
- _Ik durf niet te springen._ (I'm scared.)
In everyday speech, people also ask _Kan ik hier parkeren?_ The clearest way to ask permission is still _Mag ik...?_, and in shops it is a very common way to ask for something: _Mag ik een tasje?_ The short answer is often just _Ja hoor, dat mag._
English "may" can also mean "perhaps". For chance, use _kunnen_ or _misschien_, not _mogen_: "It may rain later" is _Het kan straks gaan regenen_ or _Misschien gaat het straks regenen_.
The liking meaning of _mogen_ is for people: _Ik mag Bas wel_ means you think Bas is quite a nice person. Think of it as letting someone into your life. For food and drinks, Dutch usually says _Ik vind koffie lekker_ or _Ik drink graag koffie_ (see [graag](#/lesson/graag)). If you speak German, keep "mögen" for coffee out of your Dutch.
_Durven_ is relaxed about _te_, and it also works with _het_ or _dat_ instead of a verb: _Durf jij dat? Nee, dat durf ik niet._ For more on _te_, see [infinitives with te](#/lesson/infinitive-with-te), and for the verb at the end, [the verb bracket](#/lesson/verb-bracket).
Remember: _kunnen_ checks your skills and the situation, _mogen_ checks the rules, _durven_ checks your nerves.
Watch out
- Not: _Ik kan te zwemmen_ Say: _Ik kan zwemmen_ (no _te_ after _kunnen_ or _mogen_)
- Not: _Hij magt hier niet roken_ Say: _Hij mag hier niet roken_ (_mogen_ has no _-t_ ending in the present)
- Not: _Ik kan zwemmen heel goed_ Say: _Ik kan heel goed zwemmen_ (the infinitive goes at the end)
- Not: _Hij durf niet te springen_ Say: _Hij durft niet te springen_ (_durven_ has normal endings: _hij durft_)
Quick check
- Fill in the right form of _kunnen_: _Daan ... heel goed koken._
- Fill in the right form of _mogen_: _In de trein ... je niet roken._
- Choose _kan_ or _durft_: _Sanne is bang voor honden en ... de hond van de buren niet te aaien._
- Ahmed thinks the new colleague is a nice person. Fill in a form of _kunnen_, _mogen_ or _durven_: _Ik ... hem wel._
Answers
- _kan_ (_hij kan_ has no _-t_)
- _mag_ (_je mag_, no _-t_)
- _durft_ (it is about fear, and after _kunnen_ the infinitive has no _te_)
- _mag_ (_mogen_ with a person means to like)
Use it today
At the supermarket or the bakery, ask for one thing with _Mag ik...?_, for example _Mag ik een tasje?_ Then tell a friend or colleague one thing you can do and one thing you don't dare to do yet: _Ik kan goed fietsen, maar ik durf nog niet in het Nederlands te bellen._