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

Was können Sie empfehlen?

vahs KERN-nen zee emp-FAY-len

[vahs KERN-nen zee emp-FAY-len]

💬 Usage Tip: With können "can", the main verb goes to the very end in its basic form: empfehlen. Same pattern: Was können Sie mir zeigen? "What can you show me?"

Phrase Breakdown

Was können Sie

vahs KERN-nen zee

What can you

'Sie' is the polite 'you'. For the 'ö' in 'können', round your lips and say 'e'.

Example

Was können Sie heute machen?

What can you do today?

Words in this phrase

Was

[vahs]

What

Used to ask for information about something.

Example

"Was" machst du?

"What" are you doing?

können

[KERN-nen]

can

Können is used to ask if someone is able to do something.

Example

Können wir jetzt starten?

Can we start now?

Sie

[zee]

you (formal)

Formal second person singular pronoun.

Example

Können Sie mir bitte folgen?

Can you please follow me?

empfehlen?

emp-FAY-len

recommend?

The stress falls on the second syllable: em-PFAY-len. The 'pf' is said quickly together.

Example

Ich kann das Restaurant empfehlen.

I can recommend the restaurant.

Words in this phrase

empfehlen

[emp-FAY-len]

Recommend

To suggest that someone should do something.

Example

Ich kann diesen Film empfehlen.

I can recommend this movie.

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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