Learn Hardcore German: Wir möchten ein neues Buch lesen.

Möchten is a more polite or softer way to express "would like" in German, whereas wollen is stronger and means "to want." So if you say Wir möchten..., it's like saying "We would like..." which sounds more polite than Wir wollen... ("We want...").

What is the role of ein neues Buch in this sentence?

Ein neues Buch is the direct object (accusative object) of the sentence, meaning it is what is being read. In German, direct objects typically take the accusative case, which is seen here with ein (instead of einem in the dative or eines in the genitive).

Why is lesen placed at the end of the sentence?

German often puts the main verb or verb phrase at the end of a clause when using modal verbs. Here, möchten is the conjugated modal verb and lesen is the dependent infinitive. The dependent infinitive normally goes to the end.

Is lesen always an infinitive in this structure?

Yes. Whenever a modal verb like möchten, wollen, or können is used, the other verb (in this case, lesen) appears in its infinitive form. So we wouldn't say liest or lesen wir in this spot; the infinitive is the correct form.

Could we say Wir möchten lesen ein neues Buch?

No. In German word order with modal verbs, the direct object (ein neues Buch) must come before the final infinitive (lesen). Therefore, Wir möchten ein neues Buch lesen is the correct structure.