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How to Say ‘Can you measure that?’ in German

Kannst du das messen?

kahnst doo dahs MESS-en

[kahnst doo dahs MESS-en]

💬 Usage Tip: With kannst, the action word messen goes to the very end. Same pattern: Kannst du das wiegen? "Can you weigh that?"

Phrase Breakdown

Kannst du

kahnst doo

Can you

'kannst' is the 'du' form of 'können' (can). Pronounce all the final consonants: k-a-n-s-t.

Example

Kannst du mir helfen?

Can you help me?

Words in this phrase

Kannst

[kahnst]

can

From 'können'; asks about ability in an informal way.

Example

Kannst du so charmant bleiben, oder war das nur der Anfang?

Can you stay that charming, or was that just the beginning?

[doo]

you (singular/informal)

Used when speaking to one person informally.

Example

Wie fühlst du dich heute Abend?

How do you feel this evening?

das messen?

dahs MESS-en

measure that?

With a modal verb like 'kannst', the main verb 'messen' (to measure) goes to the end. Stress 'MES-sen'.

Example

Wir müssen das Zimmer messen.

We have to measure the room.

Words in this phrase

das

[dahs]

that / it

Used to refer to a situation or thing being discussed.

Example

Das ist nicht die richtige Straße.

That is not the right street.

messen

[MESS-en]

measure

Verb meaning to measure dimensions, distance, or size.

Example

Wir müssen die Wandhöhe messen.

We need to measure the wall height.

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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