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German Phrase

Der Angestellte kann dir helfen.

/deːɐ̯ ˈʔaŋɡəˌʃtɛltə kan diːɐ̯ ˈhɛlfən/
Meaning"The employee can help you."
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Meaning

The sentence tells the listener that the employee is able to assist them. It conveys that help is available from a staff member, often in a workplace, shop, or service setting.

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When to use

Use this phrase when you want to point someone to a staff member who can provide assistance, such as in a store, office, hotel, or any customer‑service situation. It works both as a reassurance and as a brief instruction.

✦Grammar Breakdown

DerAngestelltekanndirhelfen

1

Definite article (Nominative)

Der is the masculine nominative singular definite article, used for the subject of the sentence.

2

Noun gender & ending

Angestellte is a masculine noun meaning 'employee'; the -e ending does not change its gender.

3

Modal verb können

kann expresses ability or possibility; it is the 3rd‑person singular present form of können and is followed by an infinitive without 'zu'.

4

Dative pronoun 'dir'

When a verb like helfen requires a dative object, use dir for the informal 'you'.

5

Verb helfen with dative

helfen always takes a dative object; the infinitive follows the modal verb directly.

🗨In Conversation

A

Entschuldigung, ich finde das Formular nicht.

Excuse me, I can’t find the form.

Der Angestellte kann dir helfen.

The employee can help you.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Der Angestellte kann du helfen.

    helfen requires a dative object, not the nominative 'du'.

  • Der Angestellte kann dir zu helfen.

    After a modal verb the infinitive appears without 'zu'.

↔Alternatives

  • Ein Mitarbeiter kann dir helfen.

    A staff member can help you.

  • Der Kollege kann dir helfen.

    The colleague can help you.

  • Der Angestellte steht dir zur Verfügung.

    The employee is at your disposal.

de

Cultural Tip

In modern German business language 'Mitarbeiter' is more common than the slightly older 'Angestellte'. The use of the informal pronoun 'dir' signals a casual relationship; in a formal context you would say 'Ihnen' (Der Angestellte kann Ihnen helfen). Also, swapping 'kann' for 'könnte' (Der Angestellte könnte dir helfen) makes the offer sound more polite.