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German Phrase

Kannst du es gegen 14 Uhr putzen?

/kɑnst duː ɛs ˈɡeːɡn̩ ˈfɪːʁt͡s ˈuːɐ̯ ˈpʊt͡sən/
Meaning"Can you clean it around 2 p.m.?"
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Meaning

The speaker is asking the listener if they are able to clean a certain thing at approximately 2 p.m. The request is informal and focuses on the time window rather than an exact minute.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you need a casual, friendly request for someone to tidy or clean something later in the day, especially when the exact minute isn’t crucial.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Kannstduesgegen14Uhrputzen?

1

Modalverb 'können' (2. Pers. Sg.)

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

2

Personalpronomen 'du'

Informal singular ‘you’, matches the verb form ‘kannst’.

3

Pronomen 'es'

Neutral pronoun referring to a previously mentioned object that needs cleaning.

4

Präposition 'gegen' (Zeitangabe)

‘gegen’ means ‘around/about’ when used with a time, indicating an approximate hour.

5

Zeitangabe '14 Uhr'

German commonly uses the 24‑hour clock; ‘14 Uhr’ equals 2 p.m.

6

Verb 'putzen'

Means ‘to clean’ (usually surfaces, floors, windows). It is a regular verb.

🗨In Conversation

A

Kannst du es gegen 14 Uhr putzen?

Can you clean it around 2 p.m.?

Ja, das schaffe ich. Ich komme dann um 14:15 Uhr.

Yes, I can do that. I’ll be there at about 2:15 p.m.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Kannst du es um 14 Uhr putzen?

    ‘um 14 Uhr’ means exactly at 2 p.m., while ‘gegen 14 Uhr’ is approximate. Use ‘gegen’ if you want flexibility.

  • Mach das um 14 Uhr.

    ‘Mach das’ is too blunt for a polite request; German prefers modal constructions like ‘kannst du …’ or ‘könntest du …’.

  • Kannst es du gegen 14 Uhr putzen?

    Word order must be ‘du es’ after the modal verb; placing ‘es’ before ‘du’ breaks the verb‑second rule.

↔Alternatives

  • Könntest du es um 14 Uhr reinigen?

    Could you clean it at 2 p.m.?

  • Würdest du es bitte gegen 14 Uhr putzen?

    Would you please clean it around 2 p.m.?

  • Mach das bitte um 14 Uhr sauber.

    Please make it clean at 2 p.m.

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Cultural Tip

In German, the 24‑hour clock is the norm for written and spoken time, especially in formal or semi‑formal contexts. ‘gegen’ signals an approximate time, which is common in everyday scheduling. Using ‘du’ makes the request informal; with strangers or in a business setting you would switch to ‘Sie’: ‘Können Sie es gegen 14 Uhr putzen?’