Breakdown of Diese Miete können wir uns nicht leisten.
wir
we
nicht
not
dieser
this / that (fem.: diese, neut.: dieses)
können
can / to be able to
die Miete
the rent
leisten
to achieve; to afford
Questions & Answers about Diese Miete können wir uns nicht leisten.
How would we express this using the formal alternative imstande sein from this lesson?
You could say: Wir sind nicht imstande, uns diese Miete zu leisten. Or, if you want to keep the emphasis on the rent: Diese Miete sind wir nicht imstande, uns zu leisten. Notice that imstande sein (to be in a position to) requires a zu-infinitive clause, unlike the modal verb können.
Is the reflexive pronoun uns in the accusative or dative case here?
It is in the dative case. The expression sich etwas leisten können (to be able to afford something) requires a dative reflexive pronoun. Because the thing being afforded (diese Miete) is already the accusative direct object, the person doing the affording takes the dative.
Why does the sentence start with the object diese Miete instead of the subject wir?
Starting with the accusative object adds strong emphasis, similar to saying 'This rent, we cannot afford' in English. Because German strictly follows the V2 rule where the conjugated verb (können) must be in the second position, the subject (wir) is pushed to the third position right after the verb.
Why does nicht come immediately before leisten?
When negating an entire action, nicht usually moves to the end of the clause. Since the modal verb können pushes the infinitive main verb leisten to the absolute final position, nicht naturally lands right in front of it.
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