How do you say "I can hardly sleep." in German?

"I can hardly sleep." in German is "Ich kann kaum schlafen.". This phrase is commonly used in Germany.

What does "Ich kann kaum schlafen." mean in English?

"Ich kann kaum schlafen." means "I can hardly sleep." in English. Usage tip: Excellent complaint phrase: clear, natural, and serious without sounding dramatic.

👍😴

How to Say ‘I can hardly sleep.’ in German

Ich kann kaum schlafen.

ikh kahn kowm SHLAH-fen

[ikh kahn kowm SHLAH-fen]

💬 Usage Tip: Excellent complaint phrase: clear, natural, and serious without sounding dramatic.

🇩🇪 In Germany: Mentioning sleep makes the problem sound urgent in a hotel context, which can help staff act faster.

Phrase Breakdown

Ich kann

ikh kahn

I can

Expresses ability or possibility.

Example

Ich kann kommen.

I can come.

Words in this phrase

Ich

[ikh]

Subject pronoun for the speaker.

Example

Ich kann kaum schlafen.

I can hardly sleep.

kann

[kahn]

can

First-person singular of können, expressing ability.

Example

Ich kann kaum schlafen.

I can hardly sleep.

Kaum schlafen

kowm SHLAH-fen

hardly sleep / barely sleep

Means sleeping only with difficulty or almost not at all.

Example

Ich kann heute Nacht kaum schlafen.

I can hardly sleep tonight.

Words in this phrase

kaum

[kowm]

hardly

Means barely or almost not.

Example

Ich kann kaum schlafen.

I can hardly sleep.

schlafen

[SHLAH-fen]

sleep

Infinitive verb meaning to sleep.

Example

Ich kann kaum schlafen.

I can hardly sleep.

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