German · CEFR Band 1 (A1) · Chapter 42

Kannst du mir helfen?Can you help me?

Everyday technology. Vocabulary: der Computer, die App, das Internet, das Passwort, der Bildschirm, die Sprachnachricht, herunterladen, tippen, helfen, die Verbindung. Key point: the modal verb KÖNNEN (ich kann, du kannst, er/sie kann, wir können, ihr könnt, sie können) + INFINITIVE, to say three things — ability („ich kann schwimmen“, I can swim), possibility („es kann regnen“, it may rain) and permission („kann ich hereinkommen?“, may I come in?). As learned in chapter 21, the second verb goes to the END of the sentence as an INFINITIVE: „Ich kann dir helfen“ ✓, not „Ich kann helfen dir“ ✗ — and that is exactly the classic mistake of English speakers, who keep the verb and the object together as in English („I can help you“). In chapter 21 you practised „wollen“ and „möchten“; „können“ is new. And in chapter 37 came „könnten Sie“ (the subjunctive, more polite): „Könnten Sie mir helfen?“ is softer than „Können Sie mir helfen?“.

Dialogue

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Ich kann helfen dir / Ich kann dir helfen

LenaMike, mein Handy verbindet sich nicht mit dem WLAN. Kennst du dich damit aus?Mike, my phone won't connect to the wifi. Do you know about these things?
MikeLass mich mal! Ich kann helfen dir.Let me try! I can help you. (slip: English word order — in German the infinitive goes to the end: „Ich kann dir helfen“)
LenaFast! Im Deutschen geht das zweite Verb ans Ende: „Ich kann dir helfen“, nicht „helfen dir“.Almost! In German the second verb goes to the end: „Ich kann dir helfen“, not „helfen dir“.
MikeAh, wie im Kapitel 21 mit „wollen“! Also: ich kann dir helfen. Kann ich den Bildschirm sehen?Ah, like chapter 21 with „wollen“! So: I can help you. May I see the screen?
LenaKlar, du kannst gucken. Wir können das Handy vielleicht neu starten.Sure, you can look. Maybe we can restart the phone.
MikeGeschafft! Neu gestartet, und ich kann mich verbinden. Siehst du? Das Verb ganz am Ende.Done! Restarted, and I can connect. See? The verb right at the end.

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Eine Sprachnachricht oder eine SMS?— A voice message or a text?

LenaLukas, kannst du mir die Adresse der Party schicken?Lukas, can you send me the address of the party?
LukasJa, kann ich. Möchtest du eine Sprachnachricht oder eine geschriebene SMS?Yes, I can. Would you like a voice message or a written text?
LenaGeschrieben, bitte. So kann ich die Adresse in die Karte kopieren.Written, please. That way I can copy the address into the map.
LukasAlles klar. Aber das Signal ist hier schwach; es kann einen Moment dauern.All right. But the signal is weak here; it may take a moment.
LenaKein Problem. Wenn sie nicht ankommt, kannst du mich anrufen und mir den Weg sagen.No problem. If it doesn't arrive, you can call me and tell me the way.
LukasPerfekt. So, ich habe sie geschickt. Kannst du schauen, ob sie angekommen ist?Perfect. There, I sent it. Can you check if it arrived?

Vocabulary

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der Computer: n.m.computer
die App: n.f.app
das Internet: n.n.internet
das Passwort: n.n.password
der Bildschirm: n.m.screen
die Sprachnachricht: n.f.voice message
herunterladen: verbto download
tippen: verbto type
können: verbcan, to be able to; may
helfen: verbto help (+ dative)
die Verbindung: n.f.connection
die Information: n.f.information
vielleicht: adverbmaybe, perhaps

Grammar

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können + infinitive: ability, possibility, permission

Explanation

„Können“ is the „can“ of German. It is a modal verb and is conjugated irregularly: ich KANN, du KANNST, er/sie KANN, wir KÖNNEN, ihr KÖNNT, sie KÖNNEN. (Note: „ich kann“ and „er kann“ are the same, with no -t.) As you learned in chapter 21 with „wollen“ and „möchten“, the MODAL-verb rule applies: only the modal verb is conjugated and stands in position 2; the second verb stays in the INFINITIVE and goes to the END of the sentence. „können“ covers three ideas: (1) ABILITY — „Ich kann schwimmen“ (I can swim), „Kannst du Auto fahren?“ (Can you drive?); (2) POSSIBILITY — „Es kann heute regnen“ (It may rain today), „Sie kann vielleicht kommen“ (Maybe she can come); (3) PERMISSION / request — „Kann ich hereinkommen?“ (May I come in?), „Kannst du mir helfen?“ (Can you help me?). The golden rule: the second verb goes at the END. „Ich kann dir helfen“ ✓, NOT „Ich kann helfen dir“ ✗ — this mistake comes from English speakers keeping the verb and object together as in „I can help you“. In German: modal verb (position 2) … object … infinitive (end). „Ich kann heute Abend den Computer benutzen.“ (I can use the computer this evening.) Remember chapter 37 too: „könnten Sie …?“ (subjunctive) is the more polite form: „Könnten Sie mir helfen?“ is softer than „Können Sie mir helfen?“. And „helfen“ takes the dative: „Ich kann DIR helfen“, „Ich kann IHM helfen“.

Examples

Kannst du mir helfen, diese App herunterzuladen?Can you help me download this app?
Ich kann mich nicht anmelden: ich habe das Passwort vergessen.I can't log in: I forgot the password.
Das Internet ist langsam; die Verbindung kann vielleicht abbrechen.The internet is slow; the connection may drop.
Wir können eine Sprachnachricht schicken, statt alles zu tippen.We can send a voice message instead of typing everything.
Kann ich kurz deinen Computer benutzen?May I briefly use your computer?

Culture

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Technik in der deutschsprachigen WeltTechnology in the German-speaking world

The German-speaking world — Germany, Austria, Switzerland — is modern and digital, but it has its own habits. Knowing three of them (how people write messages, why many still pay with cash, and that „one word“ can sound different in three countries) helps you not be surprised when a café writes „Nur Bargeld“ (cash only) or someone means your „Handy“.

Messages: WhatsApp and SMS

In Germany, Austria and Switzerland almost everything runs through WhatsApp: family, friends, often the club or work too. People write short and direct, but a „Hallo“ or „Hi“ at the start is usual. Voice messages are popular, but many prefer it written — „Schreib mir lieber, ich kann gerade nicht hören“ (Better write to me, I can't listen right now) is a normal sentence. By the way: the word „Handy“ is German and means mobile phone — it sounds English, but an English person would say „mobile“ or „phone“. So if someone asks „Hast du dein Handy dabei?“ (Have you got your phone with you?), they mean your phone.

Data protection and beloved cash

Two things are especially strong in the German-speaking world: data protection and the love of cash. Many people pay close attention to which app gets which data, and are reluctant to give out personal information. And although you can pay by card everywhere, many prefer cash — notes and coins. It is quite normal to see a sign „Nur Bargeld“ (cash only), especially in small cafés or at the market. The bank card is called „EC-Karte“ or „Girocard“. Practical question: „Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?“ (Can I pay by card?) — and the answer may well be „Nein, nur bar“ (No, cash only).

D-A-CH: one word, three countries

German is spoken in three neighbouring countries, together called „D-A-CH“: Deutschland (D, Germany), Österreich (A, Austria) and die Schweiz (CH, Switzerland). Standard German is the same, but everyday words can differ — including in technology. In Austria people often say „das Handy“ as in Germany; in Switzerland you also hear „das Natel“ for the mobile phone. Dialects sound very different, but in writing everyone understands each other. You do not have to master these differences; it is enough to know that the same word can be a little different in another country — then you are never completely lost.

In short: in the German-speaking world, technology is modern but with its own character — a „Hallo“ before the message, respect for data protection, often „cash only“, and a „Handy“ that is actually German. You don't have to master it all; it is enough to recognise the habits so you can ask quite naturally: „Kann ich dir eine Nachricht schicken?“ (Can I send you a message?) or „Kann ich mit Karte zahlen?“ (Can I pay by card?).

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