Learn German: Wir sind doch nicht imstande, die Gegensprechanlage selbst zu reparieren! - We are really not able to repair the intercom ourselves!

imstande sein is a formal nominal alternative to the modal verb können. It literally means being in the state or position to do something. Using it here instead of können emphasizes that they completely lack the capacity, tools, or skills to do the repair, making the exclamation a bit more dramatic.

Why is there a comma before die Gegensprechanlage?

The phrase imstande sein is followed by an extended infinitive clause, which is a phrase containing its own objects and ending with zu plus an infinitive verb (here, zu reparieren). In standard written German, it is required to separate these longer infinitive clauses from the main clause with a comma.

What purpose does the word doch serve in this sentence?

Here, doch is a modal particle adding emotional emphasis. It shows exasperation or appeals to the listener's common sense, effectively saying, 'Come on, you know we can't possibly do this!' The English translation captures this feeling with the word 'really'.

Why is it selbst and not uns for 'ourselves'?