Which to use
“können” and “könnten” are a confusable German pair: similar on the page, but distinct in meaning, check the gloss before you choose.
- #82
- “können” frequency rank
- #571
- “könnten” frequency rank
- 653
- confusion score
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | können | könnten |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | etwas zu tun vermögen | 1. Person Plural Konjunktiv II Präteritum des Verbs können |
Where the spellings diverge
Shared letters are muted; the letters that actually set können and könnten apart are highlighted. They share 6 letters in sequence, which is exactly why the eye skips the difference.
Spelling & Dictionary Insight
A purely visual mix-up. können ([ˈkœnən]) and könnten ([ˈkœntn̩]) are said differently, so reading them aloud is the quickest way to catch the wrong one. On the page they stay close: they differ by 1 letter(s) in length. Our composite confusion score for this pair is 653, derived from the frequency rank of both members and their visual similarity.
können is recorded at frequency rank #82, classified as averb, pronounced [ˈkœnən]. könnten is at rank #571, tagged as averb, pronounced [ˈkœntn̩].
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 653, this pair ranks #2,005,554 of 2,006,359 scored German confusable pairs - a relatively easy-to-tell-apart pair.
Orthographic DNA of können vs könnten
Shared letters: eknö. Private to "können": -. Private to "könnten": t.
"können" · 6 letters · shape CVCCVC · "könnten" · 7 letters · shape CVCCCVC
Frequency comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
Can "können" and "könnten" be used interchangeably?
Which is more common, "können" or "könnten"?
Remembering können vs könnten
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 “können” entry
- Browse more pairs most likely to be confused. Most confusable