✅🔍

How to Say ‘Can you check’ in German

Können Sie überprüfen

CERN-nun Zee UE-ber-prue-fen

[CERN-nun Zee UE-ber-prue-fen]

💬 Usage Tip: With a modal like können, the other verb stays in its basic form at the end: Können Sie überprüfen?, Können Sie warten?.

🇩🇪 In Germany: This is a polite way to challenge the fare because it asks for a check, not an immediate accusation. That tone often works better in Germany than sounding emotional right away.

Phrase Breakdown

Können Sie

CERN-nun Zee

Words in this phrase

Können

[CERN-nun]

Can

Used to indicate ability or possibility.

Example

Können Sie mir das erklären?

Can you explain that to me?

Sie

[Zee]

you

Used to refer to the person or people the speaker is addressing.

Example

Sie sind sehr hilfreich.

You are very helpful.

überprüfen

[UE-ber-prue-fen]

check

To examine something in order to determine its accuracy, quality, or condition.

Example

Bitte überprüfen Sie die Ergebnisse.

Please check the results.

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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