German Phrase
Ein Techniker kann auf deinen Computer zugreifen.
Meaning
A technician is able to access your computer, usually for remote support or maintenance. The modal verb ‘kann’ expresses ability or permission, not a guarantee that the access will actually happen.
When to use
Use this sentence when you are explaining what a support team is allowed to do, for example in a phone call with a help‑desk, in an email about remote troubleshooting, or when describing the scope of a service contract.
✦Grammar Breakdown
EinTechnikerkannaufdeinenComputerzugreifen
Ein (indefinite article)
‘Ein’ is the masculine nominative form of the indefinite article. It matches the noun ‘Techniker’.
Techniker (noun, nominative)
‘Techniker’ is a masculine noun meaning ‘technician’. In this sentence it is the subject, so it stays in the nominative case.
kann (modal verb)
‘kann’ is the present‑tense form of the modal verb ‘können’ (to be able to). It is followed by an infinitive without ‘zu’.
auf … zugreifen (separable verb)
‘zugreifen’ is a separable verb that always takes the preposition ‘auf’ + accusative object. In the main clause the prefix ‘zu‑’ moves to the end.
deinen (possessive article, accusative)
‘deinen’ is the accusative masculine form of the possessive article ‘dein’. It agrees with ‘Computer’, which is the accusative object.
Computer (noun, accusative)
‘Computer’ is a masculine noun borrowed from English. Here it is the direct object of the prepositional phrase ‘auf … zugreifen’.
🗨In Conversation
Möchten Sie, dass wir das Problem aus der Ferne beheben?
Would you like us to fix the problem remotely?
Ja, ein Techniker kann auf deinen Computer zugreifen.
Yes, a technician can access your computer.
✕Common Mistakes
Ein Techniker kann auf dein Computer zugreifen.
‘Computer’ is masculine, so the accusative possessive must be ‘deinen’, not ‘dein’.
Ein Techniker kann zu zugreifen auf deinen Computer.
With modal verbs the infinitive follows directly without ‘zu’. The separable prefix moves to the end of the clause.
Ein Techniker kann auf deinen Computer zu greifen.
‘Zugreifen’ is a single verb; splitting it as ‘zu greifen’ is incorrect.
↔Alternatives
Ein Techniker hat Zugriff auf deinen Computer.
A technician has access to your computer.
Ein Techniker kann deinen Computer fernsteuern.
A technician can control your computer remotely.
Ein Techniker darf auf deinen Computer zugreifen.
A technician is allowed to access your computer.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking companies it is common to ask for explicit consent before a technician accesses a client’s computer. You will often hear the phrase ‘Darf ich Ihren Bildschirm sehen?’ (May I see your screen?) before saying ‘Ich kann auf Ihren Computer zugreifen.’ Using the polite ‘Ihren’ instead of ‘deinen’ is recommended in formal contexts.