Modalverb KÖNNEN: How to Say Can in German

Können is one of the first modal verbs every German learner meets — but most learners only ever learn one of its three real meanings. This lesson covers all three, the conjugation, the sentence structure rule that goes with it, and a bonus tip about using können without a second verb at all.

What Is a Modal Verb?

A modal verb doesn't describe an action by itself — it modifies another verb, adding a layer of meaning like ability, permission, obligation, or desire. German has six of them (können, müssen, dürfen, wollen, sollen, mögen), and they all share the same sentence pattern: the modal verb is conjugated and takes position 2, while the main action verb is pushed to the very end of the sentence in its infinitive form.

Können: Conjugation

Notice the vowel change: singular forms use kann-, while the infinitive and plural forms use könn-. This pattern (a vowel change in the singular, "du" without the usual -st sometimes, no ending on ich/er-sie-es) is typical of all German modal verbs.

The 3 Situations for Können

1. Ability — "Can" / "To Be Able To"

Ich kann sehr gut schwimmen. — I can swim very well.
Kannst du Klavier spielen? — Can you play piano?

2. Possibility — "It's Possible That..."

Das kann sein. — That could be / that's possible.
Es kann heute noch regnen. — It might still rain today.

3. Polite Requests and Asking Permission

Kannst du mir bitte helfen? — Can you please help me? (a polite request, softer than a command)
Kann ich kurz reinkommen? — Can I come in for a moment? (asking permission, more casual than "darf ich")

This third use overlaps a little with dürfen (which strictly means "allowed to"), but in everyday spoken German, können is extremely common for casual permission requests — it just sounds a bit less formal than dürfen.

Sentence Structure With Können

Ich kann heute leider nicht zur Party kommen. — I unfortunately can't come to the party today.

Können sits in position 2 (conjugated), and the main verb (kommen) goes all the way to the end in its infinitive form — exactly like every other modal verb.

Bonus Tip: Können Without a Second Verb

When talking about languages or skills, German often drops the second verb entirely and uses können directly with a noun as its object (Akkusativ case):

• Ich kann Deutsch. — I know German / I can speak German. (Instead of the longer "Ich kann Deutsch sprechen.")
• Er kann sehr gut Klavier. — He's very good at piano.

Here können functions as a full main verb on its own, meaning "to know/master (a language or skill)," and the noun that follows is a normal Akkusativ object — no infinitive needed at all.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the three meanings of "können" in German?

Ability (to be able to do something), possibility (something could be the case), and polite requests or casual permission (asking someone to do something, or asking if you may do something).

How do you conjugate "können"?

ich kann, du kannst, er/sie/es kann, wir können, ihr könnt, sie/Sie können.

Can "können" be used without a second verb?

Yes — with languages and skills, können can take a noun directly as its Akkusativ object, as in "Ich kann Deutsch" (I know/speak German), without needing an infinitive like sprechen.

What's the difference between "können" and "dürfen" for asking permission?

Dürfen strictly means "allowed to" and is the grammatically precise choice for permission. Können is also used very commonly in casual spoken German for the same purpose (Kann ich reinkommen?), but sounds a little less formal than dürfen.

Where does the main verb go in a sentence with "können"?

The conjugated form of können takes position 2 in the sentence, and the main action verb moves to the very end in its infinitive form.

All six German modal verbs are covered step by step in our A1.1 course.