Which to use
“käme” and “kann” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #4,629
- “käme” frequency rank
- #53
- “kann” frequency rank
- 4682
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | käme | kann |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | 1. Person Singular Konjunktiv II Präteritum Aktiv des Verbs kommen | 1. Person Singular Indikativ Präsens Aktiv des Verbs können |
Where the spellings diverge
Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set käme and kann apart are highlighted. They share 1 letter in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
A purely visual mix-up. käme ([ˈkɛːmə]) and kann ([kan]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they share most of their letters but differ in 3 positions. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 4682, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
käme is recorded at frequency rank #4,629, classified as averb, pronounced [ˈkɛːmə]. kann is at rank #53, tagged as averb, pronounced [kan].
Glosses for this pair are partially populated in our dataset, but the full side-by-side definitions above should still guide you to the right choice.
With a confusion score of 4682, this pair ranks #1,997,012 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.
Orthographic DNA of käme vs kann
Shared letters: k. Private to "käme": emä. Private to "kann": an.
"käme" · 4 letters · shape CVCV · "kann" · 4 letters · shape CVCC
Known mistypes of this pair
- kann ← aknn · kkann · knan
Frequency comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "käme" and "kann" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "käme" or "kann"?
Remembering käme vs kann
The fastest way to pick the right one every time.
- Read both glosses above and match the meaning you intend, only context separates this pair.
- See each word in full, definition, IPA, etymology and its other confusables. Full “käme” entry
- Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable