können
to be able to / can
können means to be able to / can.
Use können when someone has the ability, skill or possibility to do something.
We use the present tense to talk about what a patient can or is able to do right now.
| Person | Context | können |
|---|---|---|
| ich | I | kann |
| du | you (one person, informal) | kannst |
| er/sie/es | he / she / it | kann |
| wir | we | können |
| ihr | you (several people, informal) | könnt |
| sie/Sie | they / you (formal, one or more people) | können |
German has three ways to say you:
- du – informal, one person
- ihr – informal, several people
- Sie – formal, one or more people (always capitalised when it means “you”)
The word sie (lowercase) can also mean she or they. Context and the verb form tell them apart:
- sie ist = she is
- sie sind = they are
- Sie sind = you are (formal)
Clinical register: In medical practice, use Sie with patients. Du/ihr are for colleagues, friends, or family.
Medical examples with the three you forms:
- Du kannst Deutsch sprechen
You (informal, one person) can speak German - Ihr könnt Deutsch sprechen
You (informal, several people) can speak German - Sie können Deutsch sprechen
You (formal) can speak German
- Deutsch sprechen – speak German
- langsam gehen – walk slowly
- gut schlafen – sleep well
- dem Arzt helfen – help the doctor
- Affirmative: Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.
I can speak German - Negative: Du kannst nicht langsam gehen.
You (informal, one person) cannot walk slowly - Affirmative: Der Patient kann gut schlafen.
The patient can sleep well - Affirmative: Sie können dem Arzt helfen.
You (formal) can help the doctor - Question: Kannst du Deutsch sprechen?
Can you (informal, one person) speak German? - Negative: Wir können nicht langsam gehen.
We cannot walk slowly
- Conjugation — type the correct form for each person.
- Multiple choice — pick the verb that fits the sentence.
- Fill in the blank — type the missing modal form.
- Reorder — put the words in correct German order (modal in position 2, infinitive at the end).
- Dialogue — fill in the missing verb at the start of a doctor-patient question.
- Error correction — find and fix the wrong verb form.
- Translate — write the German sentence from English.
- Match — pair persons with forms or verbs with meanings.
Translate to German: You (formal) can speak German
Show answer
Sie können Deutsch sprechen.
Translate to German: You (informal, one person) cannot walk slowly
Show answer
Du kannst nicht langsam gehen.
Ask the question in German: Can you (informal, one person) sleep well?
Show answer
Kannst du gut schlafen?
Put the words in the correct order: Arzt / Der / dem / kann / helfen / Patient
Show answer
Der Patient kann dem Arzt helfen
- Meaning: können means to be able to / can.
- Key forms: Present forms of können: ich kann, du kannst, er/sie/es kann, wir können, ihr könnt, sie/Sie können.
- Word order: Subject + modal verb (conjugated) + main verb at the end.
- Register: Use Sie with patients; du/ihr with peers, friends or family.
Practice this verb with exercises, or take a mixed test with all verbs.