Understand spoken Dutch

"to be able" in Dutch

kunnen
Unstarted

Summary

The Dutch translation for “to be able” is kunnen.

Pronounced the same

Recording English Dutch Learn
can (plural) kunnen

Examples of "to be able" in use

There are 21 examples of the Dutch word for "to be able" being used:
Recording English Dutch Learn
A storm prevented the plane from taking off. Door een storm is het vliegtuig niet kunnen vertrekken.
Parents should be able to choose home education for their children in every country. Ouders moeten voor thuisonderwijs voor hun kinderen kunnen kiezen, in ieder land.
Did you manage to get a hold of Tom? Heb je Tom te pakken kunnen krijgen?
Can we sit in the shade? Kunnen we in de schaduw zitten?
“I had never imagined such happiness, when I was still an ugly duckling!” «Zoveel geluk had ik mij niet kunnen voorstellen, toen ik nog een lelijk eendje was!»
I could never hate you. Ik zou je nooit kunnen haten.
Let’s see if we can get their attention. Laten we kijken of we hun aandacht kunnen trekken.
Near here in another swamp are some nice wild geese, all ladies, who, like you, can say “quack!”. Hier dichtbij in een ander moeras zijn enige aardige wilde ganzen, allemaal dames, die evenals jij “kwak!” kunnen zeggen.
Could I borrow a hammer? Zou ik een hamer kunnen lenen?
This is a pressing problem we cannot ignore. Dit is een prangend probleem dat we niet kunnen negeren.

Practice Lesson

"to be able" Practice (22)
Lesson
Lesson words
to be able
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Lesson phrases
A storm prevented the plane from taking off.,
Anybody could do this.,
Can we sit by the window?,
Can we sit in a non-smoking area?,
Can we sit in the shade?,
Can we sit in the sun?,
Can we sit outside?,
Can we sit there?,
Could I borrow a hammer?,
Did you manage to get a hold of Tom?,
Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t do that.,
How will I live with this pain?,
I could never hate you.,
I was wondering if I might pique your interest in this.,
Let’s see if we can get their attention.,
Near here in another swamp are some nice wild geese, all ladies, who, like you, can say “quack!”.,
Parents should be able to choose home education for their children in every country.,
This is a pressing problem we cannot ignore.,
to be able to,
Who would be able to understand you?
etc.

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Acknowledgements

Audio
Domien De Groot