können

Etymology
From, , from , from , from , from.

Verb

 * 1) to be able (to do or be something), to have the possibility of; can.
 * 2)  to be able to do something implied; can.
 * 3)  to know how to do (something); to know; to understand; to be able to do (something); to be capable of; can do (something), to have a specific skill.
 * 4)  to be possible, to make sense
 * 5)  to be allowed (to do something); to be permitted (to do something); may.
 * 6)   to be in the legal situation of being able to realize a legal effect even if it be legally disallowed
 * 1)  to be able to do something implied; can.
 * 2)  to know how to do (something); to know; to understand; to be able to do (something); to be capable of; can do (something), to have a specific skill.
 * 3)  to be possible, to make sense
 * 4)  to be allowed (to do something); to be permitted (to do something); may.
 * 5)   to be in the legal situation of being able to realize a legal effect even if it be legally disallowed
 * 1)  to be possible, to make sense
 * 2)  to be allowed (to do something); to be permitted (to do something); may.
 * 3)   to be in the legal situation of being able to realize a legal effect even if it be legally disallowed
 * 1)  to be possible, to make sense
 * 2)  to be allowed (to do something); to be permitted (to do something); may.
 * 3)   to be in the legal situation of being able to realize a legal effect even if it be legally disallowed
 * 1)   to be in the legal situation of being able to realize a legal effect even if it be legally disallowed
 * 1)   to be in the legal situation of being able to realize a legal effect even if it be legally disallowed
 * 1)   to be in the legal situation of being able to realize a legal effect even if it be legally disallowed
 * 1)   to be in the legal situation of being able to realize a legal effect even if it be legally disallowed

Usage notes

 * As with all modal verbs, the auxiliary können is used with a following bare infinitive (see examples above).
 * As with the other modal verbs, in the perfect tense, when können is used as an auxiliary verb, the use of the infinitive of können as the past participle is unmarked. When used as a main verb, the past participle gekonnt is obligatory in standard usage. Nonetheless, especially among southern speakers, the infinitive may also occur (Er hat nicht können. Instead of Er hat nicht gekonnt.)
 * Just like contemporary English, the use of for  is unlikely to be frowned upon. In fact,  is preferable in some contexts. For example, when offering an empty seat next to one on a train, one would rather say:, because  might sound condescending (as though one had a right to forbid it).