verb

mögen

Etwas gut finden oder gerne haben.

Definition & meaning

mögen is an irregular German verb that commonly means “to like” or “to be fond of.”

Preference or enjoyment: Ich mag Kaffee means “I like coffee.” Here, mögen is followed by an accusative object.
Possibility or concession: In some contexts, it means “may,” “might,” or “might well.” For example, Das mag sein means “That may be so.”
Polite wishes: möchte is the subjunctive form of mögen and is commonly used to mean “would like.” For example, Ich möchte einen Tee means “I would like a tea.” It is not simply interchangeable with mag.

Grammar & Word origin

mögen is a modal verb. In its modal use, it is typically followed by another verb in the infinitive without zu. Its present-tense forms include mag (ich, er/sie/es), magst (du), mögen (wir, sie/Sie), and mögt (ihr). The simple past is mochte; the subjunctive form möchte is especially common for polite requests and wishes.

The verb is not made up of smaller modern German word parts. It comes from an old Germanic verb meaning “to be able” or “to have power,” a sense that survives in some uses expressing possibility.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms vary with the meaning:

gern haben — “to like”; a close, everyday equivalent, often used with people or things.
lieben — “to love”; much stronger than mögen.
schätzen — “to appreciate” or “to value”; emphasizes esteem rather than simple liking.
gefallen — “to appeal to” or “to please”; it uses a different sentence structure, as in Der Film gefällt mir (“I like the film,” literally “The film appeals to me”).

Possible antonyms include:

nicht mögen — “not to like”; the direct negation.
nicht leiden können — “to be unable to stand”; generally stronger than simply not liking something.
hassen — “to hate”; much stronger and more intense than mögen.

Common phrases & collocations

etwas/jemanden mögen — to like something or someone.
Ich mag dich. — “I like you.”
Das mag sein. — “That may be so.”
Ich möchte … — “I would like …”; a polite way to express a wish or make a request.