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German frequency list

No. 1,192 in German

können

"To be able to" or "can."

In a sentence

  • Ich kann gut schwimmen.

    I can swim well.

    'Können' is used to express ability or skill; here, the sentence communicates the speaker's capability to swim effectively.

  • Wir können morgen ins Kino gehen.

    We can go to the cinema tomorrow.

    'Können' is used to express possibility or permission; in this context, it conveys that going to the cinema is an option or allowed the next day.

  • Er meinte, dass es regnen könnte.

    He said that it might rain.

    'Könnte,' a subjunctive form of 'können,' conveys a hypothetical situation or potential occurrence, suggesting uncertainty about the weather.

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