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'Können' Definition

What is the meaning of the German word 'Können'?

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The word 'Können' is a German word that can mean 'To be able to' in English. You can find example sentences below to help you understand how to use the word in context.

Definition of 'Können' in English

Können - To be able to

verb

The verb 'können' means 'to be able to' in German. It is used to express capability or possibility.

💡 Silly memory trick! To remember 'können,' think of it as 'can.' It's like saying 'I can' in English, which means you are able to do something.

Related Words

Wenig

German Challenges

Beginner

Fill in the blanks with the correct form of the definite article "the" in the accusative case for a Neuter noun.

Ich sehe das Auto.

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In the given sentence, "Ich sehe das Auto," the word "Auto" is a neuter noun. In German, "Auto" is "das Auto" in the nominative case. Since neuter nouns do not change their article in the accusative case, "das" remains "das" even when it is the direct object of the verb "sehen" (to see). Therefore, the correct sentence is "Ich sehe das Auto," which translates to "I see the car" in English. Remembering that neuter and feminine articles do not change in the accusative case can be very helpful. It means that every time you see "das" or "die" as an article for a single noun, it will remain the same in the accusative case. Keep practicing to get the hang of these changes in the different cases!
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Intermediate

Which auxiliary verb correctly completes the sentence to fit the context given?

Der Hund hat im Garten gespielt.

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'Spielen' is an action verb that typically requires the verb 'haben' as an auxiliary when forming the perfect tense. Therefore, 'Der Hund hat im Garten gespielt' (The dog played in the garden) is the correct sentence. 'Ist' is generally used with intransitive verbs, especially those depicting movement or state change, which is not the case with 'spielen'. The correct use of 'haben' and 'sein' in the right context forms a crucial part of accurately conveying meaning in the German language.
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Beginner

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb 'laufen' to mean 'to run through'?

Er läuft durch den Park

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The correct preposition to use with 'laufen' to convey the meaning of 'to run through' is 'durch', forming the phrase 'laufen durch'. The sentence 'Er läuft durch den Park' translates to 'He is running through the park.' The other prepositions are not used to express the concept of running through a place. Fun Fact: 'Laufen durch' requires the accusative case, as it typically involves a direct object – the place being run through.
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Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the dative case for a Feminine noun.

Ich helfe der Frau

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In German, the dative case form of the feminine article "die" is "der." For example, in the sentence "Ich helfe der Frau," which translates to "I help the woman" in English, the word "Frau" (woman) is in the dative case as the indirect object of the verb "helfen" (to help), so the article changes from "die" to "der."
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Beginner

Conjugate the modal verb "mögen" to fit the sentence below

Er mag Wienerschitzel, es ist sein Lieblingsessen.

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The correct form for 'mögen' in the third person singular is 'mag'. For the sentence "Er mag Wienerschitzel, es ist sein Lieblingsessen.", the full translation is "He likes Wienerschitzel, it's his favourite food."
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Beginner

Which adjective correctly describes the feminine noun in the nominative case?

Er fand eine alte, verfallene Hütte

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The adjective 'alte' is the correct word to use here because it is in the nominative case, feminine form. This adjective describes the noun 'Hütte', which is a feminine noun. 'Alt', the base form of the adjective, 'alten', the masculine or dative plural form, and 'altes', the neutral form, would all be incorrect in this context because they do not match the gender of the noun being described.
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Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the genitive case for the neuter noun "Kind" (Noun)?

Das Haus des Kindes ist groß

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The genitive case is used for possession. The correct definite article for neuter nouns in the genitive case is "des." Thus, the sentence should be "Das Haus des Kindes ist groß", which translates to "The child's house is big" in English.
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Intermediate

Which preposition correctly pairs with the verb 'achten' to mean 'to pay attention to'?

Wir achten auf die Details

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The correct preposition to use with 'achten' to convey the meaning of 'to pay attention to' is 'auf', forming the phrase 'achten auf'. The sentence 'Wir achten auf die Details' translates to 'We pay attention to the details.' The other prepositions cannot be used to express the concept of paying attention to something. Fun Fact: 'Achten auf' requires the accusative case.
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Beginner

What is the correct form of the definite article "the" in the genitive case for the masculine noun "Baum" (tree)?

Die Blätter des Baumes sind grün.

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The appropriate definite article for masculine nouns in the genitive case is "des." Therefore, the sentence should be "Die Blätter des Baumes sind grün," which translates to "The leaves of the tree are green" in English.
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Intermediate

Which auxiliary verb correctly completes the sentence to fit the context given?

Was ist Ihr Lieblingsrestaurant, in dem Sie gegessen haben?

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For the verb 'essen' (to eat), 'haben' is the correct auxiliary verb in the past tense. So the appropriate sentence is 'Was ist Ihr Lieblingsrestaurant, in dem Sie gegessen haben?', which means 'What is your favorite restaurant in which you have eaten?'. In this case, 'essen' refers to an action involving a personal experience, thus 'haben' is used. This distinction is essential for conveying the intended action and for achieving fluency in German.
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German Topics

Prepositional Verbs Accusative Prepositions Modal Verbs Cases Summary Accusative Case Dative Case Genitive Case Auxiliary Verbs Personal Pronouns Cases Dative Prepositions Coordinating Conjunctions Subordinating Conjunctions

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