En 15 secondes
- Demonstrating a specific skill or talent you have mastered.
- Commonly used in professional, athletic, or artistic contexts.
- Focuses on proving competence through visible actions.
Signification
Think of this as your 'moment to shine.' It is about demonstrating your skills or expertise to others, proving you actually know what you are doing.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6In a job interview
Ich möchte in diesem Projekt mein Können zeigen.
I want to show my ability in this project.
Watching a football game
Der Stürmer konnte heute sein ganzes Können zeigen.
The striker was able to show his full ability today.
Texting a friend about a bake-off
Morgen werde ich beim Backen mein Können zeigen!
Tomorrow I will show my skills at baking!
Contexte culturel
The 'Meister' (Master) title is highly protected in Germany. Showing your 'Können' is the final step in years of vocational training (Ausbildung). In Austria, the term is often used in the context of skiing or classical music, where 'Können' is seen as a point of national pride. Swiss culture values precision. 'Können' is often associated with 'Pünktlichkeit' (punctuality) and 'Genauigkeit' (accuracy). In German companies, 'sein Können zeigen' is often linked to 'Eigenverantwortung' (personal responsibility). You are expected to show what you can do without being asked.
Use in CVs
When writing a German CV, use 'Können unter Beweis stellen' instead of 'zeigen' to sound more professional.
Capitalization
Always capitalize 'Können'. If you don't, it looks like the verb 'können' and the sentence becomes grammatically incorrect.
En 15 secondes
- Demonstrating a specific skill or talent you have mastered.
- Commonly used in professional, athletic, or artistic contexts.
- Focuses on proving competence through visible actions.
What It Means
This phrase is all about action. It is not just about having a talent. It is about putting that talent on display. Imagine you have practiced piano for years. When you finally perform, you zeigen dein Können. It is the bridge between 'I can do this' and 'Look at me doing this.'
How To Use It
You will almost always see a possessive pronoun here. You do not just 'show ability.' You show your ability. Use sein Können zeigen or ihr Können zeigen. It functions like a standard verb phrase. Put the pronoun and Können in the middle of your sentence. Keep zeigen for the end or the second position. It is a very flexible and sturdy expression.
When To Use It
Use this when the stakes are a bit high. It fits perfectly in a job interview. It works great during a sports match. Use it when you are proud of a specific skill. If you are cooking a five-course meal, you are showing your Können. It implies you have worked hard to reach this level.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for basic human functions. You do not Können zeigen by walking or breathing. That would sound very strange and robotic. Also, avoid it if you want to sound extremely modest. It is a confident phrase, not a shy one. Using it for tiny tasks might sound sarcastic or arrogant. Don't use it for luck; it is only for earned skills.
Cultural Background
Germany is often described as a Leistungsgesellschaft. This means an achievement-oriented society. People there generally value hard work and mastery. Showing your Können is respected because it proves you are a Fachmann (expert). It is less about bragging and more about demonstrating competence. In German culture, results often speak louder than words.
Common Variations
You might hear sein Können unter Beweis stellen. This is a bit more formal. It means 'to put one's ability to the test.' Another one is sein volles Können zeigen. This means showing your *full* potential. If you are just starting, you might say you want to dein Potential zeigen instead.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is safe for almost any situation. Just remember that it carries a tone of 'performance.' It is about the moment you actually do the thing you are good at.
Use in CVs
When writing a German CV, use 'Können unter Beweis stellen' instead of 'zeigen' to sound more professional.
Capitalization
Always capitalize 'Können'. If you don't, it looks like the verb 'können' and the sentence becomes grammatically incorrect.
Modesty
Germans value showing skill through results. Let your work 'sein Können zeigen' rather than talking about it too much.
Exemples
6Ich möchte in diesem Projekt mein Können zeigen.
I want to show my ability in this project.
A classic way to express ambition in a professional setting.
Der Stürmer konnte heute sein ganzes Können zeigen.
The striker was able to show his full ability today.
Very common in sports reporting to describe a great performance.
Morgen werde ich beim Backen mein Können zeigen!
Tomorrow I will show my skills at baking!
Casual and slightly competitive in a fun way.
Da hast du ja mal wieder dein ganzes Können gezeigt.
Well, you've shown your full ability once again.
Used ironically when someone makes a silly mistake.
Ich hoffe, ich kann bei der Prüfung mein Können zeigen.
I hope I can show my ability during the exam.
Expresses a desire to perform well under pressure.
Jetzt ist die Zeit gekommen, dein Können zu zeigen.
Now the time has come to show your ability.
Encouraging someone before a big performance.
Teste-toi
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'sein Können zeigen'.
Der neue Mitarbeiter möchte heute im Meeting sein ________ ________.
After 'möchte' (modal verb), we need the infinitive at the end.
Welcher Satz ist grammatikalisch richtig?
Wählen Sie den richtigen Satz:
'Können' is neuter singular and must be capitalized.
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
A: Hast du Angst vor der Prüfung? B: Nein, ich freue mich darauf, endlich mein ______ ______.
After 'freue mich darauf', we use 'zu' + infinitive.
Welche Situation passt am besten zu 'sein Können zeigen'?
Wann sagt man das?
It is used in performance-based situations.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesDer neue Mitarbeiter möchte heute im Meeting sein ________ ________.
After 'möchte' (modal verb), we need the infinitive at the end.
Wählen Sie den richtigen Satz:
'Können' is neuter singular and must be capitalized.
A: Hast du Angst vor der Prüfung? B: Nein, ich freue mich darauf, endlich mein ______ ______.
After 'freue mich darauf', we use 'zu' + infinitive.
Wann sagt man das?
It is used in performance-based situations.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsNo, it is neutral. It simply describes the act of demonstrating a skill. However, context matters—don't say it every five minutes!
Yes, you can say 'seine Fähigkeiten zeigen', but 'sein Können zeigen' is a more common and idiomatic collocation.
'Zeigen' is neutral and common in speech. 'Unter Beweis stellen' is formal and common in writing.
Almost always. You show *your* skill, *his* skill, etc. Without it, the sentence feels incomplete.
Expressions liées
sein Können unter Beweis stellen
specialized formTo put one's skill to the test/proof.
zeigen, was man kann
similarTo show what one can do.
glänzen
synonymTo shine.
versagen
contrastTo fail.
sein Licht unter den Scheffel stellen
contrastTo hide one's light under a bushel.
