German word
How to say “to be able to” in German
The German for “to be able to”, with audio, grammar notes and the words that go with it.
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Step 4Wie spät ist es?
What time is it?
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Start freeto be able to
können
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German
können
to be able to
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Grammar notes
- This is a verb. See the full conjugation of können.
German words and phrases that go with it
Learn these next. They are among the most common everyday German words and sentences.
Where this fits
“to be able to” is word 22 of our most-common-words list in the 4ToSpeak German guides. Browse every German word and phrase A–Z or work through the common words in order.
How do you say “to be able to” in German?
“to be able to” in German is “können”.
What does “können” mean in English?
“können” is German for “to be able to”.
How do you conjugate “können”?
In the present tense: ich kann, du kannst, er / sie / es kann, wir können, ihr könnt, sie / Sie können.
How do I remember “können”?
Say it out loud in a sentence, not on its own. Hear it, say it, then use it in a full German sentence. That is how every 4ToSpeak lesson works.
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Use “können” in a sentence
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