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How to Say ‘What can I do for you?’ in German

Was kann ich für Sie tun?

vahs kahn ikh fyr zee toon

[vahs kahn ikh fyr zee toon]

💬 Usage Tip: After für, Sie stays exactly the same, unlike ich, which becomes mich. Compare für Sie with für mich "for me".

Phrase Breakdown

Was kann ich

vahs kahn ikh

What can I

'Was' sounds like 'vahs', because German 'w' is pronounced like English 'v'.

Example

Was kann ich essen?

What can I eat?

Words in this phrase

Was

[vahs]

What

Used to ask for information about something.

Example

"Was" machst du?

"What" are you doing?

kann

[kahn]

can

A modal verb expressing ability or possibility.

Example

Beim Gespräch Kann man viel über die Firma lernen.

In the conversation, one can learn a lot about the company.

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

für Sie tun?

fyr zee toon

do for you?

'Sie' with a capital S is the formal 'you'. For 'ü', round your lips as if saying 'oo', then say 'ee'.

Example

Ich kann das für Sie tun.

I can do that for you.

Words in this phrase

für

[fyr]

for

A preposition indicating purpose or destination.

Example

Das ist für dich.

This is for you.

Sie

[zee]

You (formal)

Formal second-person pronoun.

Example

Denken Sie, dass Netzwerken wichtig ist?

Do you think networking is important?

tun

[toon]

to do

To perform an action or an activity.

Example

Ich werde mein Bestes tun, um mit dem Fahrer zu kommunizieren.

I will do my best to communicate with the driver.

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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