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How to Say ‘Can you set up the lights?’ in German

Kannst du die Lampen aufbauen?

kahnst doo dee LAM-pen OWF-bow-en

[kahnst doo dee LAM-pen OWF-bow-en]

💬 Usage Tip: With kannst, the second verb waits unchanged at the end, and here aufbauen stays in one piece. Same shape: Kannst du die Kamera holen? "Can you get the camera?"

Phrase Breakdown

Kannst du

kahnst doo

Can you

A polite request that starts with the modal verb 'können' in the du-form.

Example

Kannst du helfen?

Can you help?

Words in this phrase

Kannst

[kahnst]

can (you)

Du-form of 'können' (to be able to).

Example

Kannst du mir helfen?

Can you help me?

[doo]

you

The pronoun 'du' in nominative form.

Example

Du bist schön.

You are beautiful.

die Lampen aufbauen?

dee LAM-pen OWF-bow-en

set up the lamps?

'aufbauen' = to set up. Stress the first syllable: 'OWF-bow-en'.

Example

Wir bauen die Kamera auf.

We're setting up the camera.

Words in this phrase

die

[dee]

the

Definite article used to specify something already known.

Example

Die Katze ist süß.

The cat is cute.

Lampen

[LAM-pen]

lamps, lights

Plural of 'die Lampe'.

Example

Die Lampen sind im Auto.

The lamps are in the car.

aufbauen

[OWF-bow-en]

set up

Separable verb: to assemble or put up equipment.

Example

Wir bauen die Kamera auf.

We set up the camera.

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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