German Phrase
Kannst du den Schmerz beschreiben?
Meaning
This question asks someone to give a description of the pain they are feeling. It is a direct, yet polite way to request details about intensity, location, and quality of the pain.
When to use
Use this sentence in medical or health‑related conversations, such as when a doctor asks a patient, a physiotherapist checks a client, or a friend wants to understand how you feel after an injury.
✦Grammar Breakdown
KannstdudenSchmerzbeschreiben?
Verb‑second (V2) word order
In main clauses the finite verb occupies the second position; the subject follows it, as in “Kannst du …”.
Modalverb conjugation
“können” is conjugated as “kannst” for the 2nd person singular (du). The main verb stays in infinitive.
Accusative case
“den Schmerz” is the direct object; masculine nouns take the accusative article “den”.
Infinitive placement
With modal verbs the infinitive (“beschreiben”) is placed at the end of the clause.
🗨In Conversation
Kannst du den Schmerz beschreiben?
Can you describe the pain?
Ja, er ist stechend und sitzt im unteren Rücken.
Yes, it’s stabbing and located in the lower back.
✕Common Mistakes
Kannst du den Schmerz beschreibst?
After a modal verb the main verb must stay in infinitive, not conjugated.
Kannst du der Schmerz beschreiben?
If you mistakenly use the nominative article “der” the case is wrong; the object requires accusative “den”.
Kann du den Schmerz beschreiben?
The verb must be conjugated (kannst) and placed before the subject in a V2 clause.
↔Alternatives
Können Sie den Schmerz genauer beschreiben?
Can you describe the pain more precisely?
Wie würdest du den Schmerz beschreiben?
How would you describe the pain?
Beschreibe bitte deinen Schmerz.
Please describe your pain.
Cultural Tip
In German medical settings the formal “Sie” is preferred, especially with strangers or professionals. Switching to “du” signals familiarity or a more relaxed environment. Also, Germans often ask for specific descriptors (stechend, dumpf, ziehend) to pinpoint the type of pain.