Breakdown of Wir sind doch nicht imstande, die Gegensprechanlage selbst zu reparieren!
sein
to be
wir
we
nicht
not
reparieren
to repair
zu
to (infinitive marker)
doch
after all / indeed (modal particle)
selbst
oneself, myself (emphatic); even
imstande
able / capable
die Gegensprechanlage
the intercom
Questions & Answers about Wir sind doch nicht imstande, die Gegensprechanlage selbst zu reparieren!
Why use imstande sein here instead of just using können?
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'?
selbst is an emphatic pronoun meaning 'personally' or 'without outside help'. If you used the reflexive pronoun uns, it would literally mean you are trying to repair yourselves (your own bodies). You might also hear selber in everyday spoken German, but selbst is the standard written form.
How is the long word Gegensprechanlage built?
It is a compound noun made of three parts: gegen (against/counter), the stem of sprechen (to speak), and die Anlage (system or installation). A 'counter-speaking-system' is a very literal and logical way to describe an intercom!
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