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

Was kann ich für Sie tun?

vas kahn ikh fyr zee toon

[vas kahn ikh fyr zee toon]

💬 Usage Tip: With kann, the main action word goes to the very end: tun. Same in Was kann ich sagen? "What can I say?".

Phrase Breakdown

Was kann ich

vas kahn ikh

What can I

Start of a polite question. 'Was' sounds like 'vas'. 'Ich' has a soft hissing 'ch'.

Example

Was kann ich machen?

What can I 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

[ikh]

The pronoun 'ich' in nominative form.

Example

Ich bin da.

I am here.

für Sie tun?

fyr zee toon

do for you?

'Sie' is the formal 'you'. For 'ü', round your lips and say 'ee'. 'Tun' sounds like 'toon'.

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

The formal 'you' used in polite professional conversations.

Example

Ich freue mich, Sie hier auf der Jobmesse zu sehen.

I am pleased to see you here at the job fair.

tun

[toon]

Verb meaning to do or act; infinitive form after a modal verb.

Example

Ich muss heute viel tun.

I have to do a lot today.

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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