Learn Hardcore German: Können wir den Termin heute noch ausmachen, oder passt es dir morgen besser? - Can we still arrange the appointment today, or does tomorrow suit you better?

Because Termin is masculine and it’s the direct object (accusative case). The masculine definite article changes from der (nominative) to den (accusative). With an indefinite article it would be einen Termin.

What does ausmachen mean here, and is it a separable verb?

Here ausmachen means “to arrange/set up (an appointment).” It’s a separable verb (prefix aus-). In a normal main clause you separate it: Wir machen den Termin aus. In the infinitive (e.g., with a modal) it stays together: Wir können den Termin ausmachen. Note: ausmachen can also mean “to turn off” (a device) or “to matter” (as in Das macht mir nichts aus).

Why is ausmachen at the very end of the first clause?

Because of the modal verb können. In yes/no questions, the conjugated modal goes first (verb-first), the subject follows, and the main verb in the infinitive goes to the end: Können wir … ausmachen? In a statement: Wir können den Termin heute noch ausmachen.

Could I say Machen wir den Termin heute noch aus? instead?

Yes. That’s a direct suggestion (“Shall we set the appointment today?”). Können wir … asks about possibility/feasibility; Machen wir … sounds more like proposing an action.

What nuance does heute noch add? Could I just say heute?

heute noch means “still today / before today is over,” stressing you want it done today if possible. heute simply means “today,” without that “still-before-the-day-ends” nuance. heute noch and noch heute are both used; heute noch is a bit more conversational.

Does morgen mean “tomorrow” or “morning”?

Lowercase morgen = “tomorrow.” Capitalized der Morgen = “morning.” Context and capitalization distinguish them: Morgen passt es (tomorrow it suits) vs Am Morgen passt es (in the morning it suits).

What does passt es dir literally mean, and why dir?

passen means “to suit/fit,” and it takes a dative person: “something suits someone.” es is a dummy subject, and dir is dative “to you” (informal singular). Literally: “Does it suit you?”

Can I drop es and say Passt dir morgen besser?

Yes. es is often included but can be omitted in colloquial speech: Passt dir morgen besser? is fine.

Why is there a comma before oder? Is it required?

You have two independent clauses joined by oder. In modern German, the comma is optional with und/oder between main clauses, but many writers include it for clarity. So both are acceptable: with or without the comma.

Is this a yes/no question or an either/or question?

It’s an alternative (either/or) question: “Can we arrange it today, or does tomorrow suit you better?” It invites you to choose one of the two options rather than just saying yes or no.

How do I make this formal?

Use the formal dative Ihnen: Können wir den Termin heute noch ausmachen, oder passt es Ihnen morgen besser? Even more polite: Könnten wir den Termin heute noch vereinbaren, oder wäre Ihnen morgen lieber?

Should it be einen Termin instead of den Termin here?

Very often you’ll hear einen Termin ausmachen/vereinbaren when you’re proposing to set any appointment. den Termin implies a specific appointment already in mind or previously mentioned. Both can be correct depending on context.

What’s the difference between ausmachen, abmachen, and vereinbaren?

ausmachen: common, everyday “to arrange/fix” an appointment.
abmachen: regional (especially Swiss/Southern German) for “arrange”; perfectly normal there.
vereinbaren: more formal/official, often used in business or written communication.

Why morgen besser and not besser morgen?

Both morgen besser and besser morgen are possible. morgen besser is more neutral/common; besser morgen adds slight emphasis to “better.” What you shouldn’t do is split it oddly around the object (e.g., Passt besser dir morgen?), which sounds unidiomatic. Natural choices: Passt es dir morgen besser? or Passt es dir besser morgen?

Could I use wollen wir or sollen wir instead of können wir?

Wollen wir …? = “Shall we …?” (proposal/invitation).
Sollen wir …? = “Should we …?” (seeking guidance on what’s advisable).
Können wir …? = “Can we …?” (asking about possibility/feasibility).

How would I say this in the past?

For the first clause: Wir haben den Termin heute noch ausgemacht. For the second: Oder passte es dir morgen besser? (in a reported/retold context), though “tomorrow” in past narration usually becomes am nächsten Tag.

Can I use oder? as a tag question at the end?

Yes, …, oder? works like “right?/isn’t it?” Example: Wir machen den Termin heute noch aus, oder? That’s different from your sentence, which gives two full alternatives: …, oder passt es dir morgen besser?

Does Termin mean a romantic “date”?

No. der Termin is an appointment/meeting (doctor, business, etc.). For a romantic date, Germans often say das Date (loanword) or die Verabredung depending on context.

What happens to ausmachen in the perfect tense and with separation?

In the perfect, the past participle is ausgemacht (the prefix stays attached): Wir haben den Termin ausgemacht. In simple present without a modal, it separates: Wir machen den Termin aus.