German - Abilities

Ich kann ___.

I can ___.

Meaning: I can ___.

When to use: Use this with a main verb in the infinitive to state a skill or ability (e.g. schwimmen, kochen).

Ich kann nicht ___.

I can't ___.

Meaning: I can't ___.

When to use: Use with an infinitive to say you do not have that ability (e.g. Ich kann nicht Auto fahren.).

Tip: Don't put 'nicht' in the infinitive; 'nicht' goes before the infinitive when negating ability (Ich kann nicht + Infinitiv).

Ich kann ein bisschen ___.

I can ___ a little.

Meaning: I can ___ a little.

When to use: Use for limited ability or basic skill; follow with an infinitive or language (e.g. Ich kann ein bisschen Deutsch sprechen).

Ich weiß, wie man ___.

I know how to ___.

Meaning: I know how to ___.

When to use: Use to describe a learned technique or procedure. The blank is usually an infinitive phrase.

Ich weiß nicht, wie man ___.

I don't know how to ___.

Meaning: I don't know how to ___.

When to use: Use when you lack specific knowledge or a skill. The blank is usually an infinitive phrase.

Ich bin gut in ___.

I'm good at ___.

Meaning: I'm good at ___.

When to use: Use 'in' + area or subject (often with Dative). For activities you might hear 'im' + noun (im Schwimmen).

Ich bin nicht so gut in ___.

I'm not good at ___.

Meaning: I'm not good at ___.

When to use: A softer way to say you're weak in an area. For activities you can also use 'im' + activity noun.

Tip: Beginners sometimes forget the preposition or mix 'in' and 'im' — think about whether you name a subject (in) or an activity (im + noun).

Es fällt mir leicht, ___.

It's easy for me to ___.

Meaning: It's easy for me to ___.

When to use: Use with an infinitive clause introduced by 'zu' (Es fällt mir leicht, ... zu + Infinitiv).

Es fällt mir schwer, ___.

It's hard for me to ___.

Meaning: It's hard for me to ___.

When to use: Use with an infinitive clause with 'zu' to describe difficulty (Es fällt mir schwer, ... zu + Infinitiv).

Kannst du ___?

Do you know how to ___?

Meaning: Do you know how to ___?

When to use: Ask if someone has a skill. Follow with an infinitive like kochen or schwimmen.

Kannst du alleine ___?

Can you ___ by yourself?

Meaning: Can you ___ by yourself?

When to use: Ask whether someone can do something independently. 'Alleine' means by yourself.

Ich kann das alleine.

I can do it by myself.

Meaning: I can do it by myself.

When to use: Use when the task is clear from context; 'das' points to the task already mentioned.

Ich kann das nicht ohne Hilfe.

I can't do it without help.

Meaning: I can’t do it without help.

When to use: Say this when you need assistance; 'das' refers to the task in question.