Breakdown of Wir können euch nicht sehen.
wir
we
nicht
not
sehen
to see
euch
you (plural, informal)
können
can / to be able to
Questions & Answers about Wir können euch nicht sehen.
Why is sehen at the very end of the sentence?
This is the sentence bracket (Satzklammer) in action! When you use a modal verb like können, it takes the second position in the sentence. The main action verb, which is sehen here, gets pushed all the way to the very end in its dictionary form (infinitive).
Why isn't there a word for "to" before sehen?
In German, modal verbs like können pair directly with the main verb without any extra linking words. You just use the infinitive of the main verb at the end of the sentence. Think of it like the English "we can not see", where we also do not use the word "to".
Who exactly is euch referring to here?
euch is the plural informal word for "you" (like "you all" or "you guys") when it receives the action of the verb (the accusative case). Since the speakers cannot see a group of people they know casually, they use euch. If they were talking to just one person, it would be dich.
Why does nicht come immediately before sehen?
In sentences with a modal verb and a main verb at the end, nicht usually goes right before the main verb. Here, it sits right before sehen to show that "seeing" is the specific action that cannot happen.
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