Ich bin fähig, zu helfen.

Sentence Discussions German
#1
English Translation

I am able to help.

Seems like a bad literal translation. Wouldn’t one simply say “Ich kann helfen”?

#2

I agree.

Yes.

But I see the same issue with English: “I can help” sounds better to me than “I’m able to help”.

The more literal translations would be more appropriate if the sentence were negated:

  • Ich bin nicht fähig zu helfen.
  • Ich bin nicht in der Lage zu helfen.
  • Ich bin nicht imstande zu helfen.
  • Ich bin außerstande zu helfen.
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