👍❓🍽️

How to Say ‘What can you recommend?’ in German

Was können Sie empfehlen?

vas KUR-nen zee emp-FAY-len

[vas KUR-nen zee emp-FAY-len]

💬 Usage Tip: With können the second verb gets pushed to the very end: empfehlen. Same shape: Was können Sie mir zeigen? "What can you show me?"

Phrase Breakdown

Was können Sie

vas KUR-nen zee

What can you

'Sie' is the polite form of 'you'. The 'ö' in 'können' is said with rounded lips.

Example

Was können Sie mir zeigen?

What can you show me?

Words in this phrase

Was

[vas]

what

Question word asking about a thing.

Example

Was machst du?

What are you doing?

können

[KUR-nen]

can

Modal verb 'können' for plural subjects; the main verb goes to the end.

Example

Wir können morgen kommen.

We can come tomorrow.

Sie

[zee]

you

The formal 'you' used in polite professional conversations.

Example

Ich freue mich, Sie hier auf der Jobmesse zu sehen.

I am pleased to see you here at the job fair.

empfehlen?

emp-FAY-len

recommend?

'empfehlen' means 'to recommend'. It is stressed on the second syllable: 'emp-FAY-len'.

Example

Ich kann das Restaurant empfehlen.

I can recommend the restaurant.

Words in this phrase

empfehlen

[emp-FAY-len]

recommend

Verb meaning to suggest something as good.

Example

Ich kann den Fisch empfehlen.

I can recommend the fish.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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