Notes on mögen
1. mögen is principally used as a full verb. It takes an accusative object, either a person or a non-person. It expresses a liking towards someone or something.
| Examples | object | transcription | meaning |
| Ich mag Sandra. | person | Ich habe Sandra gern. | liking |
| Ich mag Rockmusik. | non-person | Ich höre gern Rockmusik. |
2. mögen is seldom combined with an infinitive; in this case, it expresses preference in doing something.
In negative sentences it expresses dislike.
| Examples | transcription | meaning | |
| Ich mag schwimmen. |
lieber
|
Ich schwimme gern. | liking |
| Ich mag Pizza essen. | Ich esse gern Pizza. | ||
| Ich mag nicht gern Fleisch essen. | dislike | ||
3. Very rarely, mögen expresses a wish. This occurs mostly in negative or interrogative clauses.
| Examples | meaning | |
| Ich mag heute ins Kino gehen. | affirmation | wish |
| Ich mag heute nicht ins Kino gehen. | negation | |
| Magst du heute ins Kino gehen? | question |