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German Phrase

Kannst du mir die Rechnung erklären?

/kɑnst duː miːɐ̯ diː ˈʁeç.nʊŋ ɛɐ̯ˈkleːʁən/
Meaning"Can you explain the bill to me?"
💡

Meaning

You are asking someone to clarify or break down the details of a bill, invoice, or receipt. The request is informal because it uses ‘du’. It can be used in restaurants, shops, or when dealing with a service provider.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you have received a bill that you don’t understand – for example, after dining out, after a repair service, or when reviewing a monthly statement. In a formal setting replace ‘du’ with ‘Sie’ and add ‘bitte’.

✦Grammar Breakdown

KannstdumirdieRechnungerklären?

1

Modalverb 'können' (2. Pers. Sg.)

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

2

Dativpronomen 'mir'

‘mir’ is the dative form of ‘ich’; with ‘erklären’ the person who receives the explanation is in the dative.

3

Akkusativobjekt 'die Rechnung'

‘die Rechnung’ is the direct object (accusative) of the verb ‘erklären’.

4

Verb 'erklären' + Dativ + Akkusativ

‘erklären’ takes a dative recipient and an accusative thing that is being explained.

5

Verb‑Second (V2) word order

In main clauses the finite verb ‘Kannst’ occupies the second position, pushing the subject ‘du’ to third.

🗨In Conversation

A

Kannst du mir die Rechnung erklären?

Can you explain the bill to me?

Natürlich, das ist 12 € für das Essen, 3 € für das Getränk und 2 € Servicegebühr.

Of course, that's €12 for the food, €3 for the drink, and €2 service charge.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Kannst du mir die Rechnung verstehen?

    ‘verstehen’ means ‘to understand’; with a bill you need ‘erklären’ (to explain).

  • Können Sie mir die Rechnung erklären?

    If you use the formal ‘Sie’, the dative pronoun must be ‘Ihnen’, not ‘mir’.

  • Kannst du mir die Rechnungen erklären?

    ‘Rechnungen’ (plural) changes the article to ‘die’ but the meaning shifts to multiple bills; use singular unless you really have several invoices.

↔Alternatives

  • Könntest du mir die Rechnung bitte erklären?

    Could you please explain the bill to me?

  • Können Sie mir die Rechnung erläutern?

    Can you (formal) elaborate on the invoice?

  • Erklärst du mir bitte die Rechnung?

    Please explain the bill to me.

de

Cultural Tip

In German, politeness often comes from using ‘bitte’ and the formal ‘Sie’ when you’re not on a first‑name basis. In a restaurant you’ll usually hear the waiter say ‘Darf ich Ihnen die Rechnung bringen?’ (May I bring you the bill?) and the customer may reply with ‘Könnten Sie sie bitte erklären?’ if something is unclear. Avoid mixing informal ‘du’ with a formal setting unless you’ve been invited to do so.