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German Phrase

Kannst du bitte die Gebühren bestätigen?

/kans(t) du ˈbɪtə diː ɡəˈbyːʁən bəˈʃtɛtɪɡən/
Meaning"Can you please confirm the fees?"
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Meaning

Literally, ‘Can you please confirm the fees?’ It is a polite request asking the listener to verify or acknowledge the amount of fees that have been mentioned or invoiced.

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When to use

Use this sentence in business or administrative contexts – for example when you email a colleague, a customer service agent, or a supplier and need them to check that the listed fees are correct before proceeding.

✦Grammar Breakdown

KannstdubittedieGebührenbestätigen?

1

Modalverb 'können' (2. Pers. Sg.)

‘Kannst’ is the present‑tense, 2nd‑person singular form of ‘können’, used to ask for ability or permission.

2

Personalpronomen 'du'

The informal ‘you’ used with friends, colleagues of the same rank, or in casual business settings.

3

Polite particle 'bitte'

Placed after the verb to soften the request; it can also appear at the beginning of a sentence.

4

Accusative plural 'die Gebühren'

‘Gebühren’ (fees) is a plural noun; the definite article ‘die’ marks the accusative case after ‘bestätigen’.

5

Infinitiv 'bestätigen'

The main verb stays in infinitive form after a modal verb.

🗨In Conversation

A

Kannst du bitte die Gebühren bestätigen?

Can you please confirm the fees?

Ja, ich schaue sie mir gleich an und melde mich zurück.

Yes, I’ll look at them right away and get back to you.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Kannst du bitte die Gebühr bestätigen?

    ‘Gebühr’ is singular; the sentence talks about multiple fees, so the plural ‘Gebühren’ is required.

  • Kannst du bitte die Gebühren bestätigen?

    In formal contexts you should use ‘Sie’ instead of ‘du’ to avoid sounding overly familiar.

  • Kannst du die Gebühren bestätigen bitte?

    Placing ‘bitte’ after the infinitive (‘bestätigen bitte’) is unidiomatic; it should stay before the object or after the modal verb.

↔Alternatives

  • Könntest du bitte die Gebühren bestätigen?

    Could you please confirm the fees?

  • Bitte bestätige die Gebühren.

    Please confirm the fees.

  • Können Sie bitte die Gebühren bestätigen?

    Can you (formal) please confirm the fees?

de

Cultural Tip

In German business communication the level of formality matters. If you are not on a first‑name basis, switch ‘du’ to the formal ‘Sie’ and use ‘Können Sie…’. Adding ‘bitte’ makes the request sound courteous, and placing it directly after the modal verb (as in the example) is the most common polite construction.