How to Say ‘You can’ in German
Sie können
zee KUH-nen
[zee KUH-nen]
💬 Usage Tip: [Sie] here means formal [you], and it takes the same verb form as [sie] = [they]: [Sie können]. Compare informal singular: [du kannst].
🇩🇪 In Germany: Use [Sie] with restaurant staff unless they clearly switch to something more casual first. It is the safe default in service situations.
Phrase Breakdown
Sie
[zee]
you
Formal you, used politely when addressing one person or more in customer situations.
Sie können die Reservierung online ändern.
You can change the reservation online.
können
[KUH-nen]
can; are able to
A modal verb expressing ability, possibility, or permission.
Sie können bis 20 Uhr kostenlos stornieren.
You can cancel free of charge until 8 p.m.
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