How do you say "I can't sleep well." in German?

"I can't sleep well." in German is "Ich kann nicht gut schlafen.". This phrase is commonly used in Germany.

What does "Ich kann nicht gut schlafen." mean in English?

"Ich kann nicht gut schlafen." means "I can't sleep well." in English. Usage tip: A softer version of 'I can't sleep.' More natural in many polite complaint situations.

😴🚫

How to Say ‘I can't sleep well.’ in German

Ich kann nicht gut schlafen.

ikh kahn nikht goot SHLAH-fen

[ikh kahn nikht goot SHLAH-fen]

💬 Usage Tip: A softer version of 'I can't sleep.' More natural in many polite complaint situations.

🇩🇪 In Germany: This sounds factual rather than dramatic, which often works well in Germany.

Phrase Breakdown

Ich

[ikh]

The German subject pronoun for referring to yourself.

Example

Ich kann nicht gut schlafen, wenn es laut ist.

I cannot sleep well when it is noisy.

kann

[kahn]

can / am able to

A modal verb used to express ability or possibility.

Example

Ich kann nicht gut schlafen in diesem Zimmer.

I can't sleep well in this room.

nicht

[nikht]

not

Used to make the statement negative.

Example

Ich kann nicht gut schlafen neben dem Aufzug.

I can't sleep well next to the elevator.

gut

[goot]

well

Here it describes how well you sleep.

Example

Ich kann nicht gut schlafen wegen des Lärms.

I can't sleep well because of the noise.

schlafen

[SHLAH-fen]

sleep

The infinitive verb meaning to sleep.

Example

Ich kann nicht gut schlafen, wenn Gäste laut sind.

I can't sleep well when guests are loud.

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