AUXILIARY VERB
können/ˈkœnən/can; to be able to; know how to
können is a German auxiliary verb that means can, to be able to, or know how to. It is pronounced /ˈkœnən/. In conjugation, the simple past is "konnte" and the past participle is "gekonnt".
Definitions
1.to be able to do something; to have the ability or possibility(ability/possibility)
a.expressing skill or general ability
Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.—I can speak German.
b.expressing possibility or circumstances that allow something
Hier kann man gut essen.—You can eat well here.
2.to know how to do something (acquired skill)(learned ability/knowledge)
a.knowing a learned skill or how to do something specific
Er kann schwimmen.—He can swim.
Conjugation
| Infinitive | können |
|---|---|
| Present (ich) | kann |
| Present (du) | kannst |
| Present (er/sie/es) | kann |
| Preterite (ich) | konnte |
| Participle II | gekonnt |
| Konjunktiv II (ich) | könnte |
| Imperative (singular) | — |
| Imperative (plural) | — |
| Auxiliary | haben |
Frequently asked questions
- What does "können" mean in English?
- "können" means can, to be able to, or know how to. It is a German auxiliary verb.
- How do you pronounce "können"?
- "können" is pronounced /ˈkœnən/ in the International Phonetic Alphabet.
- What is the past participle of "können"?
- The past participle (Partizip II) of "können" is "gekonnt", used with the auxiliary "haben".
- What is the simple past of "können"?
- In the simple past (Präteritum), "können" becomes "konnte" in the first person singular.
- What part of speech is "können"?
- "können" is a auxiliary verb in German.
