Kan vi sluta nu?

now

Breakdown of Kan vi sluta nu?

• kunna: be able to
• vi: we
• sluta: to stop

Questions & Answers about Kan vi sluta nu?

What exactly does the word kan express here?

Kan (from kunna) usually means can/be able to, but it often also implies possibility or permission and functions as a polite request. In this sentence it’s best read as a polite suggestion/request: “Can we (please) stop now?” rather than literal physical ability.

Why is the word order Kan vi sluta and not Vi kan sluta?

Yes/no questions in Swedish put the finite verb first. Here the finite verb is kan, so:

• Question: Kan vi sluta nu?
• Statement: Vi kan sluta nu.

With a question word, the order is question word + finite verb + subject: När kan vi sluta?

Why is sluta in the infinitive without att?

After modal verbs like kan, ska, vill, måste, bör, får, Swedish uses the bare infinitive (no att). Hence: kan sluta, not kan att sluta.

What’s the difference between sluta, avsluta, stoppa, and stanna?