Das Radio funktioniert nicht, aber es ist reparierbar.
The radio does not work, but it is repairable.
Breakdown of Das Radio funktioniert nicht, aber es ist reparierbar.
sein
to be
es
it
aber
but
nicht
not
funktionieren
to work (function)
das Radio
the radio
reparierbar
repairable
Questions & Answers about Das Radio funktioniert nicht, aber es ist reparierbar.
How does the suffix -bar work in the word reparierbar?
The suffix -bar is added to the stem of a verb to show that something can be done to it, which is called passive possibility. Here, it is attached to the stem of reparieren (to repair), giving us reparierbar (repairable). It works exactly like the English suffix -able.
Why use funktioniert here instead of arbeitet for a radio that 'does not work'?
In German, arbeiten means to perform physical or mental labor, usually referring to people. When you want to say that a machine, electronic device, or system is operating correctly or is broken, you must use the verb funktionieren.
Why doesn't the word aber push the verb to the end of the sentence?
The word aber (but) is a coordinating conjunction. This means it connects two independent clauses and occupies position zero in the second clause. The subject es takes position one, so the verb ist stays in its normal second position.
Why do we use the pronoun es in the second half of the sentence?
Pronouns in German must always match the grammatical gender of the noun they replace. Because Radio is a neuter noun (das Radio), it must be replaced by the neuter pronoun es.
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