In German

können

Meaning: can, to be able to

Example sentences

  • IchkannDeutschsprechen.

    I can speak German.

  • Kannstdumirhelfen?

    Can you help me?

  • Wirkönnenmorgenkommen.

    We can come tomorrow.

Grammar note

Present tense: ich kann, du kannst, er/sie/es kann, wir können, ihr könnt, sie/Sie können. Like all modal verbs, the singular forms (ich, du, er/sie/es) drop the umlaut and don't follow the regular -e/-st/-t pattern. The second verb goes to the end in its infinitive form: “Ich kann gut kochen.”

Common mistake

Don't conjugate the second verb. “Ich kann gut Deutsch sprechen” is correct; “Ich kann gut Deutsch spreche” is wrong — the second verb stays infinitive at the end.

Quick check

Which modal verb expresses ability — “can”?

More words on this topic

dürfenmay, to be allowed tomüssenmust, to have tomögento like

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Frequently asked questions

Why does “ich kann” have no umlaut while the infinitive does?

Modal verbs are irregular: the singular forms (ich, du, er/sie/es) drop the umlaut from “können”, giving “kann”, “kannst”, “kann”.

Where does the second verb go in a sentence with “können”?

To the very end, in its infinitive form, like “Ich kann gut kochen” (I can cook well).