Mogen (may/to be allowed) in Dutch

The modal verb mogen is how you express permission in Dutch — whether something is allowed, whether you may do something, or whether you are permitted. It corresponds to English "may" or "to be allowed to." You will encounter it in everyday situations: asking if you can sit somewhere, understanding rules and signs, and making polite offers.

Mogen also has a secondary meaning that surprises many learners: it can express liking, especially for people. Ik mag hem graag means "I like him." This usage is less common than the permission meaning, but good to know.

The conjugation is simple — all singular forms are mag, and all plural forms are mogen. Like other modal verbs, mogen sends the infinitive to the end of the clause.

Formation / How It Works

Present Tense Conjugation

Person	Dutch	English
ik	mag	I may / am allowed to
jij / je	mag	you may
u	mag	you may (formal)
hij / zij / het	mag	he / she / it may
wij / we	mogen	we may
jullie	mogen	you (all) may
zij / ze	mogen	they may

Note: All singular forms are identical — mag. No need to worry about -t endings or inversion changes.

Sentence Structure

Subject	Modal	Middle	Infinitive (end)
Ik	mag	hier	parkeren.
Je	mag	niet	roken.
Wij	mogen	binnen	komen.

Uses of Mogen

Use	Example	English
Permission	Je mag binnenkomen.	You may come in.
Prohibition (+ niet)	Je mag hier niet roken.	You are not allowed to smoke here.
Polite offer	Mag ik u helpen?	May I help you?
Polite request	Mag ik een glas water?	May I have a glass of water?
Liking (+ graag)	Ik mag haar graag.	I like her.

Mogen Without Infinitive

Like other modals, mogen can stand alone when the action is obvious:

• Mag ik een biertje? — May I (have) a beer?
• Dat mag niet. — That is not allowed.

Examples in Context

Dutch	English	Note
Mag ik binnenkomen?	May I come in?	Asking permission
Je mag hier zitten.	You may sit here.	Granting permission
Hier mag je niet fietsen.	You are not allowed to cycle here.	Prohibition
Mag ik iets vragen?	May I ask something?	Polite request
Kinderen mogen niet alleen reizen.	Children are not allowed to travel alone.	Rule
Mag het iets meer zijn?	May it be a little more?	At the deli counter
Wij mogen morgen vrij nemen.	We are allowed to take tomorrow off.	Permission from boss
Je mag drie boeken lenen.	You may borrow three books.	Library rule
Dat mag niet van mijn moeder.	My mother does not allow that.	Lit. "That is not allowed from my mother"
Ik mag hem graag.	I like him.	Liking meaning
Mag ik uw naam?	May I have your name?	Formal/polite
U mag hier niet parkeren.	You are not allowed to park here.	Formal prohibition

Common Mistakes

Wrong	Right	Why
Ik mogen hier zitten.	Ik mag hier zitten.	Singular forms use mag, not the infinitive/plural.
Ik mag hier niet rook.	Ik mag hier niet roken.	The second verb must be in the infinitive form.
Ik kan binnenkomen? (asking permission)	Mag ik binnenkomen?	Kunnen expresses ability; mogen is correct for asking permission (though kan is used informally).
Mag ik te zitten?	Mag ik zitten?	After modal verbs, use a bare infinitive — no te.

Practice Tips

1. Permission scenarios. Practice asking permission in common situations: Mag ik hier zitten? Mag ik het raam opendoen? Mag ik een vraag stellen? These are phrases you will use constantly.

2. Rules and signs. When you see rules or signs in Dutch (on trains, in parks, at the office), try to rephrase them with mogen: Verboden te roken → Je mag hier niet roken.

3. Mogen vs. kunnen. Practice the difference: Mag ik hier zwemmen? (Am I allowed?) vs. Kan ik hier zwemmen? (Is it possible / Am I able?). This distinction matters in Dutch.

Related Concepts

• Regular Verbs Present
• Kunnen (can/to be able)
• Moeten (must/have to)
• Willen (to want)
• Negation