German Phrase
Kannst du mich um 8 Uhr morgens anrufen?
Meaning
The speaker is asking the listener if they are able to give them a phone call at exactly eight o’clock in the morning. It is a polite, informal request for a specific time.
When to use
Use this sentence when you need to arrange a phone call with a friend, colleague, or family member and you want to be clear about the exact time. It works best in informal contexts; switch to the formal ‘Sie’ form for business or strangers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Kannstdumichum8Uhrmorgensanrufen?
Modalverb ‘können’ (2. Person Singular)
‘Kannst’ is the present‑tense form of ‘können’ used to ask for ability or permission. In questions it appears before the subject.
Akkusativ‑Pronomen ‘mich’
‘mich’ is the accusative form of ‘ich’ and is the direct object of the verb ‘anrufen’.
Zeitangabe mit ‘um … Uhr’
The preposition ‘um’ introduces a precise clock time; the noun ‘Uhr’ is obligatory in German.
Adverb ‘morgens’
‘morgens’ specifies the part of the day and follows the time expression.
Trennbares Verb ‘anrufen’
‘anrufen’ is a separable verb; in the main clause the prefix ‘an‑’ moves to the end of the sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Kannst du mich um 8 Uhr morgens anrufen?
Can you call me at 8 a.m.?
Klar, ich rufe dich um acht an.
Sure, I’ll call you at eight.
✕Common Mistakes
Kannst mich du um 8 Uhr morgens anrufen?
The subject ‘du’ must come before the object ‘mich’.
Kannst du mich um 8 Uhr morgens anrufen du?
In German the verb (or its prefix) stays at the end; the subject does not move after the verb.
Kannst du mich bei 8 Uhr morgens anrufen?
‘bei’ is used for approximate times; for a precise clock time you need ‘um’.
Kannst du mich um 8 Uhr morgens anrufen
Missing the question mark makes it sound like a statement rather than a request.
↔Alternatives
Ruf mich bitte um 8 Uhr morgens an.
Please call me at 8 a.m.
Könntest du mich um 8 Uhr morgens anrufen?
Could you call me at 8 a.m.?
Können wir uns um 8 Uhr morgens telefonisch austauschen?
Can we talk on the phone at 8 a.m.?
Cultural Tip
‘Kannst du … ?’ is informal; always use the capitalized ‘Du’ only in written letters or very casual messages. In a business setting replace it with ‘Können Sie mich um 8 Uhr morgens anrufen?’ Also, Germans are punctual – stating the exact hour and adding ‘morgens’ avoids any ambiguity about AM vs. PM.