אנחנו יכולים להרכיב את המדף לבד.

We can assemble the shelf by ourselves.

Breakdown of אנחנו יכולים להרכיב את המדף לבד.

• את: direct object marker
• להיות יכול: to be able
• אנחנו: we
• מדף: shelf

Questions & Answers about אנחנו יכולים להרכיב את המדף לבד.

Why is יכולים used here, and not יכולות?

יכולים is the masculine plural form of יכול (can / able to).

Because the subject is אנחנו (we), the adjective-like form after it has to agree in number and usually also in gender:

• אנחנו יכולים = we can (for a group of males or a mixed group)
• אנחנו יכולות = we can (for an all-female group)

So this sentence is either talking about a male group or a mixed group.

What exactly does יכולים mean here?

Here, יכולים means can or are able to.

Hebrew often uses forms of יכול to express ability:

• אני יכול = I can
• את יכולה = you can
• אנחנו יכולים = we can

So אנחנו יכולים להרכיב... literally means we are able to assemble..., which is the normal way to say we can assemble...

Why is להרכיב in that form?

להרכיב is the infinitive, meaning to assemble / to put together.

After יכול / יכולים, Hebrew normally uses an infinitive: