🤔❓

How to Say ‘What can I do?’ in German

Was kann ich tun?

vas kahn ikh toon

[vas kahn ikh toon]

💬 Usage Tip: With kann, the second verb goes to the very end: Was kann ich tun?. Same pattern: Wann kann ich kommen? "When can I come?"

Phrase Breakdown

Was kann

vas kahn

What can

'Was' (what) starts the question. It sounds like 'vas'.

Example

Was kann er?

What can he do?

Words in this phrase

Was

[vas]

what

Question word asking about a thing.

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 tun?

ikh toon

I do?

The infinitive 'tun' (to do) goes to the end after the modal verb 'kann'. 'Tun' has a long 'u', like 'toon'.

Example

Was soll ich tun?

What should I do?

Words in this phrase

ich

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

tun

[toon]

to do

Basic verb meaning to do or perform something.

Example

Ich habe viel zu tun.

I have a lot to do.

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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