Learn Dutch: Ik kan niet goed zingen.

When you use a modal verb like kan (can/am able to) in Dutch, it takes the second position in the sentence. The main action verb, which is zingen (to sing) here, gets pushed all the way to the end in its full dictionary form (the infinitive).

What is the base verb for kan?

The base verb is kunnen, which means 'to be able to' or 'can'. It is a modal verb used to show ability or possibility. Because the subject is ik (I), the verb changes to kan.

Why is the word goed used if the English translation says 'well'?

In Dutch, the same word is often used for both the adjective (describing a noun, like 'good') and the adverb (describing how an action is done, like 'well'). So goed works for both 'a good song' and 'to sing well'.

Why is niet placed before goed?

The word niet (not) usually comes right before the specific word or detail it is negating. Here, you are not just saying you cannot sing at all, but specifically negating the fact that you sing well, so niet comes directly before goed.